Husker_Power
Starter
Monday, Aug 27, 2007 - 12:37:40 am CDT LINK
Well, that’s a wrap.
Nebraska officially completed preseason football camp Sunday night with a practice that was open to UNL students, not to mention the media (practices typically are closed, as is the case at most campuses). About 2,500 students materialized at Memorial Stadium. Seems like they had some fun. Their experience was an absolute blast compared to the month of drills that Husker players just battled through. Preseason camp at any level of the sport is a bear.
“Are you ready for some football!” Husker head coach Bill Callahan shouted over the public-address system after being introduced to the crowd, which responded with warm applause. The coach seemed genuinely pumped up. I have to admit I got some goose bumps.
At last, football season’s here.
“This has to be the loudest place in the country on game days, and you can help us out in a lot of ways,” the coach continued, his voice booming into the heavens.
So, without further adieu, some impressions from practice:
Pity the cornerback who has to take on Nebraska I-back Quentin Castille in the open field. The 6-foot-1, 245-pound freshman charges upfield like a runaway locomotive. It’s a good thing, too, because Husker junior I-back Cody Glenn watched Sunday in street clothes, as he has most of the month. NU may need its young backs to be ready.
Yes, the football explodes pretty well off true freshman Adi Kunalic’s foot. The thud is loud. He drilled a 52-yard field goal. But redshirt freshman Alex Henery’s leg appears to be just as strong. It’ll be interesting to see how Callahan manages this position. At any rate, it appears Nebraska’s place-kicking game will be in better shape than last season, when the Huskers made only five field goals and none beyond 40 yards.
Oh, how the students enjoyed the “Husker drill.” That’s when the entire team gathers and watches as two players are called out in front of everyone. The objective apparently is to overpower the other player. And, my, how true freshman wideout Niles Paul plowed over classmate Anthony Blue, a gifted cornerback. Paul nearly pushed Blue out of the stadium. Players and students erupted. Fun stuff.
Sam Keller’s throwing motion might take some getting used to for some fans. His release point is lower than you might expect from a 6-foot-4 quarterback. Kind of reminds you of Scott Frost’s motion. Keller wasn’t on top of his game on this night. But, boy, the guy is fiery. You would’ve thought Nebraska was facing USC.
Don’t know whether he can play a lick, but in terms of physique, 6-7, 300-pound offensive tackle Marcel Jones, a true freshman, looks ready for the NFL right now. No kidding.
Armando Murillo, who arrived at Nebraska in January from Eastern Arizona Community College, said Sunday he has been seeing more and more time with the first-string defense in the last week to 10 days. For most of Sunday, he played with the starting unit opposite of returning starter Cortney Grixby. NU’s other returning starter at corner, Andre Jones, spent most of the practice with the second string.
The 6-foot, 190-pound Murillo, a native of Tampa, Fla., cautioned against reading too much into Sunday’s practice. Whatever the case, Murillo said he’s playing with much more confidence compared to spring practice.
“In the spring, I was confused; I was all over the place,” he said.
Now Murillo finds the right spots to make plays, he said. His improved comfort level — along with the return of Zackary Bowman from knee surgery (he alternated between the first and second strings Sunday) plus the surprising emergence of Blue — should lead to improvement at a position that obviously was a trouble spot for Nebraska throughout last season. If nothing else, depth is much better.
Essentially every team has issues to be concerned about. Championship teams find ways to manage those issues.
To that end, the consensus is Nebraska’s defensive line — which must replace four starters — enjoyed a strong camp. For instance, base end Zach Potter drew frequent praise from coaches. Potter said Sunday he’s played with more energy than he did in the spring. He feels stronger. He appears to be holding up well against NU’s massive offensive linemen.
There’s other good news for Nebraska. Starting right guard Matt Slauson, a 6-5, 335-pound junior, returned to practice Sunday and said he would be ready for Saturday’s opener against Nevada. He suffered a separated left shoulder last week after tangling with 6-4, 305-pound nose tackle Ndamukong Suh.
So, Nebraska apparently suffered no major injuries in camp, although the I-back situation remains an obvious concern.
Sunday, however, the Huskers were mostly just glad to have another camp in the books.
“We were running at the end of practice and we were like, ‘Wow, tomorrow’s our first day off (this month) where we actually have no obligation to be here,’ ” said Potter, beaming.
Perhaps Potter will miss camp just a tad.
“Are you serious?” he asked. “Are you guys (reporters) going to miss camp?”
Point well taken.
Reach Steven M. Sipple at 473-7440 or ssipple@journalstar.com.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
07:55:12 pm, Categories: -Football by Brian Rosenthal
LINK
That's a wrap
Fall camp officially concluded Sunday night. The Huskers worked out in half pads in front a few thousand students and about a dozen or so media members.
No major highlights, but a few notes:
* Armando Murillo took a good deal of reps with the No. 1 defense, with Zac Bowman working in as well. Andre Jones worked almost exclusively with the No. 2 defense.
* Cody Glenn did not practice.
* Matt Slauson said he should be full-go by Tuesday.
* Alex Henery is a good kicker. Surprised they didn't use him last year. Looks like there is a battle there between him and Adi Kunalic. Maybe Henery in shorter attempts and Kunalic for longer? Kunalic was 1-for-2 from 52 yards and 0-2 from 57. His misses had plenty of distance.
Well, that’s a wrap.
Nebraska officially completed preseason football camp Sunday night with a practice that was open to UNL students, not to mention the media (practices typically are closed, as is the case at most campuses). About 2,500 students materialized at Memorial Stadium. Seems like they had some fun. Their experience was an absolute blast compared to the month of drills that Husker players just battled through. Preseason camp at any level of the sport is a bear.
“Are you ready for some football!” Husker head coach Bill Callahan shouted over the public-address system after being introduced to the crowd, which responded with warm applause. The coach seemed genuinely pumped up. I have to admit I got some goose bumps.
At last, football season’s here.
“This has to be the loudest place in the country on game days, and you can help us out in a lot of ways,” the coach continued, his voice booming into the heavens.
So, without further adieu, some impressions from practice:
Pity the cornerback who has to take on Nebraska I-back Quentin Castille in the open field. The 6-foot-1, 245-pound freshman charges upfield like a runaway locomotive. It’s a good thing, too, because Husker junior I-back Cody Glenn watched Sunday in street clothes, as he has most of the month. NU may need its young backs to be ready.
Yes, the football explodes pretty well off true freshman Adi Kunalic’s foot. The thud is loud. He drilled a 52-yard field goal. But redshirt freshman Alex Henery’s leg appears to be just as strong. It’ll be interesting to see how Callahan manages this position. At any rate, it appears Nebraska’s place-kicking game will be in better shape than last season, when the Huskers made only five field goals and none beyond 40 yards.
Oh, how the students enjoyed the “Husker drill.” That’s when the entire team gathers and watches as two players are called out in front of everyone. The objective apparently is to overpower the other player. And, my, how true freshman wideout Niles Paul plowed over classmate Anthony Blue, a gifted cornerback. Paul nearly pushed Blue out of the stadium. Players and students erupted. Fun stuff.
Sam Keller’s throwing motion might take some getting used to for some fans. His release point is lower than you might expect from a 6-foot-4 quarterback. Kind of reminds you of Scott Frost’s motion. Keller wasn’t on top of his game on this night. But, boy, the guy is fiery. You would’ve thought Nebraska was facing USC.
Don’t know whether he can play a lick, but in terms of physique, 6-7, 300-pound offensive tackle Marcel Jones, a true freshman, looks ready for the NFL right now. No kidding.
Armando Murillo, who arrived at Nebraska in January from Eastern Arizona Community College, said Sunday he has been seeing more and more time with the first-string defense in the last week to 10 days. For most of Sunday, he played with the starting unit opposite of returning starter Cortney Grixby. NU’s other returning starter at corner, Andre Jones, spent most of the practice with the second string.
The 6-foot, 190-pound Murillo, a native of Tampa, Fla., cautioned against reading too much into Sunday’s practice. Whatever the case, Murillo said he’s playing with much more confidence compared to spring practice.
“In the spring, I was confused; I was all over the place,” he said.
Now Murillo finds the right spots to make plays, he said. His improved comfort level — along with the return of Zackary Bowman from knee surgery (he alternated between the first and second strings Sunday) plus the surprising emergence of Blue — should lead to improvement at a position that obviously was a trouble spot for Nebraska throughout last season. If nothing else, depth is much better.
Essentially every team has issues to be concerned about. Championship teams find ways to manage those issues.
To that end, the consensus is Nebraska’s defensive line — which must replace four starters — enjoyed a strong camp. For instance, base end Zach Potter drew frequent praise from coaches. Potter said Sunday he’s played with more energy than he did in the spring. He feels stronger. He appears to be holding up well against NU’s massive offensive linemen.
There’s other good news for Nebraska. Starting right guard Matt Slauson, a 6-5, 335-pound junior, returned to practice Sunday and said he would be ready for Saturday’s opener against Nevada. He suffered a separated left shoulder last week after tangling with 6-4, 305-pound nose tackle Ndamukong Suh.
So, Nebraska apparently suffered no major injuries in camp, although the I-back situation remains an obvious concern.
Sunday, however, the Huskers were mostly just glad to have another camp in the books.
“We were running at the end of practice and we were like, ‘Wow, tomorrow’s our first day off (this month) where we actually have no obligation to be here,’ ” said Potter, beaming.
Perhaps Potter will miss camp just a tad.
“Are you serious?” he asked. “Are you guys (reporters) going to miss camp?”
Point well taken.
Reach Steven M. Sipple at 473-7440 or ssipple@journalstar.com.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
07:55:12 pm, Categories: -Football by Brian Rosenthal
LINK
That's a wrap
Fall camp officially concluded Sunday night. The Huskers worked out in half pads in front a few thousand students and about a dozen or so media members.
No major highlights, but a few notes:
* Armando Murillo took a good deal of reps with the No. 1 defense, with Zac Bowman working in as well. Andre Jones worked almost exclusively with the No. 2 defense.
* Cody Glenn did not practice.
* Matt Slauson said he should be full-go by Tuesday.
* Alex Henery is a good kicker. Surprised they didn't use him last year. Looks like there is a battle there between him and Adi Kunalic. Maybe Henery in shorter attempts and Kunalic for longer? Kunalic was 1-for-2 from 52 yards and 0-2 from 57. His misses had plenty of distance.
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