Return of "the Ved"?

N

Nexus

All-American
Perimeter blocking will spring more long runs than a pulling guard. That's because most big run plays get bounced to the outside. If you can neutralize a defensive back who's out on an island with a receiver, the opportunity to go the distance grows dramatically. That's why the move of tight end Mike McNeill to wide receiver this spring, might not just be about the passing game.
Flash back to 1996. Nebraska was dominating the Big 12 North and NU churned out over 3,500 rushing yards, 45 rushing touchdowns, and 43 points per game. And one piece of that puzzle was wide receiver Jon Vedral (nicknamed "the Ved"). So respected and feared was he by opposing coaches and players as an outside blocker, that he was named honorable mention all-conference despite some very meager receiving totals. His film became "how-to" for future generations of perimeter blockers at Nebraska.

Now consider what happens when you put a 230 lbs. tight end, that's been practicing blocking extensively for years (under the same coach as the Ved) and think about what he could do to a defensive back. McNeill might produce more pancakes than Denny's. Do opposing teams want to counter with a linebacker? If so, are they ready to accept that matchup on pass plays? You can see the problem it creates for the opposition.

Sure, Nebraska would love to line up the next Andre Johnson at wideout. But when you're returning to a physical style that features the option, putting a tight end out wide doesn't sound half bad. Will defensive backs be ready for the return of the Ved? Not likely.

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McNeill has already mentioned about blocking smaller guys on the outside or drawing LB's from the inside as he runs the slot.

 
Anything to create mismatches and give us an advantage. With Kinnie and Paul being so fast the corners will have to be on them (and they still out weigh/muscle them) and that puts a lb or safety on McNeil, he either is too fast for them or too strong. Great move by the coaches, he needs more touches for sure, plus with our tight end position being pretty stacked we should be ok there, if we throw them the ball!

 
i miss vedral. dude was quietly one of the most dependable & important cogs to our running machine, & i'm not sure it can be duplicated.

 
Kinnie fast? Hmmm, maybe I missed something.

But the McNeill creating mismatches by lining up at WR is interesting in theory; we shall see how it actually plays out on the field.

 
Igetbored216 said:
Kinnie fast? Hmmm, maybe I missed something.

But the McNeill creating mismatches by lining up at WR is interesting in theory; we shall see how it actually plays out on the field.
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Well I looked into the future and it works just fine, so you can stop being debbie downer.

:koolaid2: :koolaid2: :koolaid2: :koolaid2: :koolaid2: :koolaid2: :koolaid2: :koolaid2: :koolaid2: :koolaid2: :koolaid2:

 
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