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Practice report: Heat doesn’t deter harder hitsLife in the Red Life in the Red
By BRIAN ROSENTHAL, BRIAN CHRISTOPHERSON and STEVEN M. SIPPLE / Lincoln Journal Star
Monday, Aug 09, 2010 - 09:28:54 pm CDT
So the heat index was 109 degrees and, as you might guess, a serious stench accompanied Nebraska’s postpractice interviews.
But amid the odor that comes with a day of toiling in ridiculous heat, Niles Paul had some fun.
The team was in half pads Monday for the first time this fall camp, and the senior wide receiver was relishing in that.
“Because we got to hit for the first time in a long, long time,” Paul said. “You see guys out there being real physical, and I love what I see from the defense and offense. We were in half pads but it felt like we were in full.”
It apparently got a little chippie between the offense and defense, but that isn’t always the worst thing.
“It happens a lot. I hate to say it, but I’m kind of involved in a lot of those tussles,” Paul said with a smile. “And on defense, it’s kind of Pierre Allen who’s involved in a lot of those tussles. So it’s just everybody talking back and forth. Defense has each other’s back and offense has each other’s back, which is a great thing.”
Sometimes those tussles can actually help re-energize guys on a sweltering day.
“When things get tiring in practice ... it’s a way to reboot everybody,” Paul said. “Everybody gets excited like, ‘Oh, yeah, let’s go.’”
A growing process: Paul turned 21 on Monday. He said there’d be a dinner with the family, but no wild celebrations that some have when they hit that age.
Not even one beer for him.
Paul expressed regret Monday for an alcohol-related incident that occurred in May. (The receiver pleaded guilty to minor in possession and signed on to do some community service.)
“It was a whole growing process for me — me trying to go from a young man to a man,” Paul said.
“I know I’m better from it,” he added. “Mentally, I’m a stronger person than I’ve ever been before.”
Paul said he was pretty sure the team is going to have a no-alcohol policy this season, which he totally supports.
He said he didn’t think guys should be limited from going downtown during the season. “But just be safe. Everybody’s men here. I think everybody can handle themselves pretty well. I don’t think it’s a big deal if people go downtown but we’ll discuss that within the Unity Council.”
Green at peso: Redshirt freshman Andrew Green is practicing at the peso position along with senior Eric Hagg and junior Austin Cassidy, said secondary coach Marvin Sanders.
“You just look at his athletic ability,” Sanders said of the 6-foot, 190-pound Green. “It’s kind of a hybrid spot, so that’s the type of guy we look for at that position.”
David shows 'freakish' talents: Sophomore Eric Martin said junior college transfer Lavonte David is “freakish” for a guy who’s 6-1 and 210 pounds. Make no mistake, David is seriously in the mix at linebacker.
“He has a very good man coverage,” Martin said of the junior. “One-on-one, he has good reaction. He’s faster than all of us. His reaction time is way better than all of ours.
“That’s what I mean by freakish. When we’re doing one-on-ones and stuff, running back tries to make a move, he’s usually the one to stick with him, like more than all of us. I mean, he’s not perfect, but more than anybody else does, he sticks with the running back.”
Opposites attract: Who knew linebackers and quarterbacks could be friends?
Apparently so, as proven by Martin and redshirt freshman quarterback Taylor Martinez.
Both come from California, but differ quite a bit in their personalities.
Most Husker fans already realize Martin’s no shy guy.
As for Martinez?
“He’s not talkative, really. He’s more of a keep-to-himself type of person,” Martin said. “He’s cool when you get to talk to him and be his friend. But he doesn’t really talk much. He’s not the type of person that would walk up to you and say hi. You have to walk up to him or chase him down to say hi.”
As for that quarterback race between Martinez, Zac Lee and Cody Green?
Paul expects it to be a doozy.
“It’s going to be a difficult race, I know that right now,” Paul said. “Because everybody is playing at a high level.”
This and that: Coach Bo Pelini seemed surprised at a notion that a decision had to be made regarding the possibility of senior kicker Adi Kunalic redshirting. “I don’t know where that came from,” Pelini said. “He’s playing.” ... Senior guard Keith Williams missed practice with a pulled muscle and is expected back Wednesday. “He could’ve practiced, but we decided to shut him down for a couple of days,” Pelini said. ... Nebraska has practiced the first three days minus one ill player on the 105-man roster. That unnamed player is expected to return Tuesday, Pelini said. ... There’s been an addition to the post-practice menu for players. Pickles. Coming off the field, next to the Gatorade, there’s a plethora of pickles. Pickle juice is believed to help combat muscle cramps.
