Hello Husker X,
I found your post interesting and wanted to share perhaps a different point of view.
Step 1: Realize where we are
At this point I think everyone needs to see the true state of affairs. We are a sinking ship with no hope for the future.
*For me this felt like a very 'defeatist' attitude. We DO have hope for the future. The fact that so many people want to see change is evidence of this hope.
Our recruits, provided there are any left by the end of the season, are ultimately useless because of the coaching. All the talent in the world means nothing when there is no TEAM to put them in.
*I appreciated what Matt Davison said last night as the game came to a close: "Those kids have not bought into this system (which personally I think is so darn hard to understand!! Couldn't Billy C and CO. developed the WCO in smaller bites instead of throwing the whole pie at the kids and making them choke it down???) "They are simply going through the motions. They are not playing together." It's true! I agree a staffing change is in order.
Callahan has no wins of value, no motivational prowess, and his scheme is pathetic. The WCO has washed out. Let's face that, right here, right now. It just doesn't work. If we can't score a TD against the 95th ranked defense in the nation, then what do we expect against the likes of Oklahoma or LSU? Moreover we have seen no improvement in four years, the total demolition of our many proud traditions, and a usurping of our Nebraska way (which does exist and always has).
*Callahan does have wins of value. We beat Michigan. We also won the Big 12 North last year. That had not happened the years before. As I stated before, I think his scheme is difficult. Why can't he simplify it so that the quarterback doesn't have to come over to him and burn up time after each play?
Do you really believe that Missouri looked like a 95th ranked defensive team? I sure didn't. Numbers don't always tell the entire story. It's what actually goes on during the game that really counts. Our offense has been touted as being really good too but I didn't see it last night.
There HAS been improvement in four years. Remember how bad our kicking team used to be? I do. Remember how we couldn't run the ball back after a kick off? We're getting much better yardage now.
I dont think we've seen the kind of improvement that we as fans would like to see. We want our 'glory teams' back.
Bottom line: this is not the staff for us. Maybe they'd have more success in the pros, I don't know and nor do I really care. I want what is best for Nebraska, not Bill Callahan or his unbendable philosophy. I was an ardent Callahan supporter, but this is it for me. I can't support him because I have no reason to believe he can turn this around, not even with a good D coordinator. Our players are complacent, void of emotion, and quitters.
*I wonder how many folks felt the same way when Dr. Tom first started? I remember reading where he felt that things at NU were so bad he was ready to go look for a job at Colorado. What a sad state of affairs that would've been had he went! How will we feel if next year, our team wins all of their games and comes out shining?
This is where we are.
*This is where you see us to be. I think we have areas of concern and they need to be addressed but like another poster has shared, what is the answer? Who would you replace the present company with? Cries of 'Anyone is better than what we have now.' are just emotional rabble in my opinion. We need experienced coaches for our boys. I wish we would've been able to keep some of the men who have left: Turner, Ron Brown, John Blake and others who not only knew football but cared about the character of our boys as well. I REALLY miss that aspect of our team.
Step 2: Options for the future
Now we need to open the discussion to legitimate replacements, pros and cons. Who would be right for the job? Who would understand our traditions and remember them from the first day he steps foot in his office? Personally I agree with Tony Soprano: "You STAY within the family." We are Nebraska; it's us against the world. We'll run the damn option no matter how old it is, no matter how 'dead' it is, and watch what happens against those highbrow Os like the 95 Florida team.
*It's a different age now. The option is not going to save us. The reason many kids have come to Nebraska is because we have an NFL experienced coach and they want to learn that type of playing. I do, however, think that a mixture of schemes would make more sense. Can the option and WCO co-exist? (I'm a novice when it comes to that sort of thing.) I would like to see someone who understands the heart of the Husker come in to coach us but I'm not sure who that would be. However, it does need to be someone with exerience.
My personal preference is a return to a power running game, phased in with an emphasis on passing until we can recruit the right guys. Blain Gabbert could maybe be an option QB, I don't really know. He's big and fast from what I hear, and he can throw. He might be the answer, he might not. I would rather lose running the option than lose running the WCO. At least then we'd LOOK like a Nebraska team.
*I can't address this because I don't know the ins and outs of football that well. Maybe my question would be why can't you have running and passing both? Why does it have to be one or the other? And is there a WCDefense? I would like to see a return of our old 'smash mouth' defense.
Step 3: Action
All this talk means nothing unless we are willing to do the hardest thing imaginable. I'm talking about not going to games or paying for merchandise.
*Here I disagree with you. This will only hurt our boys and our program. (Read my post on DON'T BOYCOTT MEMORIAL STADIUM) I would rather see us place our efforts in contacting the powers that be. I do think that changes are in the air already. Have you noticed that our assistant Athletic Director has left? He was a HUGE fundraiser. The 'money' has noticed that he is leaving and I don't think that's going to sit well with them. If you really want to make a change, find out how NU is funded. Contact those that fund the program with your concerns. THAT will get more change than hurting our boys and tearing down yet another Husker tradition. Please reconsider this. Our sold out attendance is our last vestige. I want to keep it.
Pederson and Callahan have recently been given extensions, and that was a big, big mistake. But money is louder than these setbacks. I know it seems like you're turning on the Huskers, but you're not. You're simply doing what has to be done in order to see the program salvaged from the wreckage. Vote with your feet, show that you do not support players who quit, or coaches who are incompetent.
*I vehemently disagree. What kind of fan 'quits' on their team when the going gets tough? Not a true fan. Not in my book. Hasn't this team been through enough? Haven't we been trampled down enough? No way am I going to quit on these boys. You can do what you want but I think what you are considering will make you no better than the people you are trying to bring down. Again, if you want to see change GO TO THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Find out where the money is coming from and go after those folks. They want exactly what you want. They will listen. They may even be making changes as we speak. For me boycotting is tantamout to throwing a temper tantrum just because we got our tails kicked by Missouri.
Hit the advertisers. Call them if you want to. Once the money starts to dry up, Pederson will be hurled out faster than Rush Limbaugh at an ACLU ralley. The greatest message is silence. It's either that or booing the team from the minute they step on the field until the minute they step off. Boo the coaches, especially, and Pederson. I don't know what else will get the message across. But I do know that sitting complacently will do absolutely nothing. These things will not work themselves out. Pederson has got to go, today if possible. Money is all that will make that happen.
*PLEASE DO NOT DO THIS. The greatest message is support. I can tell you as an educator that when I see teachers yelling at their students or belittling them in public it does NOT make them perform better. But when i see teachers encouraging their students and praising the things they DO do right it makes all the difference in the world.
We may be down but we are certainly not out. I respect your opinion but I do not share it. I hope that you will take this post in the spirit that it was written. I'm angry too. I want to see change too but the vehicle for change in my humble opinion is support...encouragement...constructive ideas NOT destructive ideas.
TLS2
I found your post interesting and wanted to share perhaps a different point of view.
Step 1: Realize where we are
At this point I think everyone needs to see the true state of affairs. We are a sinking ship with no hope for the future.
*For me this felt like a very 'defeatist' attitude. We DO have hope for the future. The fact that so many people want to see change is evidence of this hope.
Our recruits, provided there are any left by the end of the season, are ultimately useless because of the coaching. All the talent in the world means nothing when there is no TEAM to put them in.
*I appreciated what Matt Davison said last night as the game came to a close: "Those kids have not bought into this system (which personally I think is so darn hard to understand!! Couldn't Billy C and CO. developed the WCO in smaller bites instead of throwing the whole pie at the kids and making them choke it down???) "They are simply going through the motions. They are not playing together." It's true! I agree a staffing change is in order.
Callahan has no wins of value, no motivational prowess, and his scheme is pathetic. The WCO has washed out. Let's face that, right here, right now. It just doesn't work. If we can't score a TD against the 95th ranked defense in the nation, then what do we expect against the likes of Oklahoma or LSU? Moreover we have seen no improvement in four years, the total demolition of our many proud traditions, and a usurping of our Nebraska way (which does exist and always has).
*Callahan does have wins of value. We beat Michigan. We also won the Big 12 North last year. That had not happened the years before. As I stated before, I think his scheme is difficult. Why can't he simplify it so that the quarterback doesn't have to come over to him and burn up time after each play?
Do you really believe that Missouri looked like a 95th ranked defensive team? I sure didn't. Numbers don't always tell the entire story. It's what actually goes on during the game that really counts. Our offense has been touted as being really good too but I didn't see it last night.
There HAS been improvement in four years. Remember how bad our kicking team used to be? I do. Remember how we couldn't run the ball back after a kick off? We're getting much better yardage now.
I dont think we've seen the kind of improvement that we as fans would like to see. We want our 'glory teams' back.
Bottom line: this is not the staff for us. Maybe they'd have more success in the pros, I don't know and nor do I really care. I want what is best for Nebraska, not Bill Callahan or his unbendable philosophy. I was an ardent Callahan supporter, but this is it for me. I can't support him because I have no reason to believe he can turn this around, not even with a good D coordinator. Our players are complacent, void of emotion, and quitters.
*I wonder how many folks felt the same way when Dr. Tom first started? I remember reading where he felt that things at NU were so bad he was ready to go look for a job at Colorado. What a sad state of affairs that would've been had he went! How will we feel if next year, our team wins all of their games and comes out shining?
This is where we are.
*This is where you see us to be. I think we have areas of concern and they need to be addressed but like another poster has shared, what is the answer? Who would you replace the present company with? Cries of 'Anyone is better than what we have now.' are just emotional rabble in my opinion. We need experienced coaches for our boys. I wish we would've been able to keep some of the men who have left: Turner, Ron Brown, John Blake and others who not only knew football but cared about the character of our boys as well. I REALLY miss that aspect of our team.
Step 2: Options for the future
Now we need to open the discussion to legitimate replacements, pros and cons. Who would be right for the job? Who would understand our traditions and remember them from the first day he steps foot in his office? Personally I agree with Tony Soprano: "You STAY within the family." We are Nebraska; it's us against the world. We'll run the damn option no matter how old it is, no matter how 'dead' it is, and watch what happens against those highbrow Os like the 95 Florida team.
*It's a different age now. The option is not going to save us. The reason many kids have come to Nebraska is because we have an NFL experienced coach and they want to learn that type of playing. I do, however, think that a mixture of schemes would make more sense. Can the option and WCO co-exist? (I'm a novice when it comes to that sort of thing.) I would like to see someone who understands the heart of the Husker come in to coach us but I'm not sure who that would be. However, it does need to be someone with exerience.
My personal preference is a return to a power running game, phased in with an emphasis on passing until we can recruit the right guys. Blain Gabbert could maybe be an option QB, I don't really know. He's big and fast from what I hear, and he can throw. He might be the answer, he might not. I would rather lose running the option than lose running the WCO. At least then we'd LOOK like a Nebraska team.
*I can't address this because I don't know the ins and outs of football that well. Maybe my question would be why can't you have running and passing both? Why does it have to be one or the other? And is there a WCDefense? I would like to see a return of our old 'smash mouth' defense.
Step 3: Action
All this talk means nothing unless we are willing to do the hardest thing imaginable. I'm talking about not going to games or paying for merchandise.
*Here I disagree with you. This will only hurt our boys and our program. (Read my post on DON'T BOYCOTT MEMORIAL STADIUM) I would rather see us place our efforts in contacting the powers that be. I do think that changes are in the air already. Have you noticed that our assistant Athletic Director has left? He was a HUGE fundraiser. The 'money' has noticed that he is leaving and I don't think that's going to sit well with them. If you really want to make a change, find out how NU is funded. Contact those that fund the program with your concerns. THAT will get more change than hurting our boys and tearing down yet another Husker tradition. Please reconsider this. Our sold out attendance is our last vestige. I want to keep it.
Pederson and Callahan have recently been given extensions, and that was a big, big mistake. But money is louder than these setbacks. I know it seems like you're turning on the Huskers, but you're not. You're simply doing what has to be done in order to see the program salvaged from the wreckage. Vote with your feet, show that you do not support players who quit, or coaches who are incompetent.
*I vehemently disagree. What kind of fan 'quits' on their team when the going gets tough? Not a true fan. Not in my book. Hasn't this team been through enough? Haven't we been trampled down enough? No way am I going to quit on these boys. You can do what you want but I think what you are considering will make you no better than the people you are trying to bring down. Again, if you want to see change GO TO THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Find out where the money is coming from and go after those folks. They want exactly what you want. They will listen. They may even be making changes as we speak. For me boycotting is tantamout to throwing a temper tantrum just because we got our tails kicked by Missouri.
Hit the advertisers. Call them if you want to. Once the money starts to dry up, Pederson will be hurled out faster than Rush Limbaugh at an ACLU ralley. The greatest message is silence. It's either that or booing the team from the minute they step on the field until the minute they step off. Boo the coaches, especially, and Pederson. I don't know what else will get the message across. But I do know that sitting complacently will do absolutely nothing. These things will not work themselves out. Pederson has got to go, today if possible. Money is all that will make that happen.
*PLEASE DO NOT DO THIS. The greatest message is support. I can tell you as an educator that when I see teachers yelling at their students or belittling them in public it does NOT make them perform better. But when i see teachers encouraging their students and praising the things they DO do right it makes all the difference in the world.
We may be down but we are certainly not out. I respect your opinion but I do not share it. I hope that you will take this post in the spirit that it was written. I'm angry too. I want to see change too but the vehicle for change in my humble opinion is support...encouragement...constructive ideas NOT destructive ideas.
TLS2
