strigori
All-American
I have tossed several posts around in thread about the shape and direction of the Nebraska football program and though I would make a lead about it.
Following the loss to OSU, I was angry and disapointed like many fans were. I was expecting a win. Heck, I was expecting no worse than 10-2 for the season, with a possiblity of undefeated when the season started. The showing last saturday showed some things we didnt want to see, being the hopefull and loyal fans.
There have been alot of people who want to throw Callahan, or at least Cosgrove, or Elmo under the buss. That would be a of an over reation. While I know that not all Husker fans wanted the current staff we have, it IS our staff and they deserve our support. Asking hard questions is fine, and I expect answers and problems corrected, but calling for fireings is overbored. Every coach has had bad games. Devaney and Osborne had horrible games. Bowden and Paterno, plenty of bad games. Even legends like Bryant had bad games and got out coached. It is the nature of the game.
What this season ahs shown me, is that we are indeed a few recruiting classes away from being 'back'. If you read the preseason mags, most of them listed us as being a year or two away from being 'back'. I know we, as fans, hate to hear anything like that, but It is the truth, however painfull. The first couple classes Callahan brought in were clearly to overhual the offense, and the plan would be to 'make due' with the majority of the defensive players already on the team. Looking at our roster, most of the defense is Solich recruits still, and the lack of depth is certianly showing. As is the lack of speed. If the staff continues the method it apears they are, we should start to show dividends on the defensive side next season.
Many fans are showing anger and disgust at the thought of winning the North as a worthy goal for a Nebraska team. Saying it is As good as not having any goals. But this is a goal we have not reached sence 1999. And we cant reach larger goals without ataining this one. With the North to haev a shot at the Big 12 title. One step at a time.
We went through a downward spiral after the 2001 blow out at Colorado. It really did more that met the eye. For whatever reason, that loss seamed to shatter the Image and mistique the surrounded the program, we became mortal. Teams stopped fearing us, they had confidence from the begining, and began to use beating Nebraska as the measuring stick.
Solich failed to make the changes needed to keep the program from slipping and it continued to fall from glory. Even the 2003 season, that some call as a good point sence it was 9-3, showed that the Nebraska of old was gone. Getting blown out at home by Kansas State is proof enough.
2004 brought a change that many didnt want, and some still resent. And the rebuilding process began. It still continues, and may take another year or two before we are back.
The offense has started to come around, but is still missin g a few parts to really make it hum. Better play from the O-line, and a QB with better physical tools. Dont take that as a knock agaisnt Zac Taylor. He has been good for the program, and has good leadership. But as this season has show, he has hit is limit. The offense has been balanced overall and remains one of the better in the conference, even with glaring weaknesses in the O-line, and an average QB. With time both should remedy. And this has the potention to be one of the most powerfull offenses in college football.
The defense we all had high hopes for before the season started. The loss of Bowman hurt, bad. And Titas Adams and LeKevin Smith were apparently better than we gave them credit for. The secondary has been nothing short of horrible this year, but we expected that with the losses back there. The D-line has underperformed so far, but part of that may be a result of the secondary not being able to cover. The linebackers have heart, but not the speed to be dominant. But there apears to be some good young talent in the works, even if some like Dillard are currently hurt. Suh and Thenarse should be brightspots in the future for sure. I definatly see a bigger recruiting push on defense as the offense now has players to fit the mold of the WCO and the balance between offense and defensive recruits can get back to where it should be.
In closing, while the pressent may be frustrating and painfull, we look to have a bight future. There offensive skill possitions are stacked for the next few years. And there look to be some bright prospects on defense. While we hate to see our Huskers flownder in games, the level of rebuilding that we needed to accomplish was bigger than what we first thought. Be patient, be supportive, and have hope for the future.
Following the loss to OSU, I was angry and disapointed like many fans were. I was expecting a win. Heck, I was expecting no worse than 10-2 for the season, with a possiblity of undefeated when the season started. The showing last saturday showed some things we didnt want to see, being the hopefull and loyal fans.
There have been alot of people who want to throw Callahan, or at least Cosgrove, or Elmo under the buss. That would be a of an over reation. While I know that not all Husker fans wanted the current staff we have, it IS our staff and they deserve our support. Asking hard questions is fine, and I expect answers and problems corrected, but calling for fireings is overbored. Every coach has had bad games. Devaney and Osborne had horrible games. Bowden and Paterno, plenty of bad games. Even legends like Bryant had bad games and got out coached. It is the nature of the game.
What this season ahs shown me, is that we are indeed a few recruiting classes away from being 'back'. If you read the preseason mags, most of them listed us as being a year or two away from being 'back'. I know we, as fans, hate to hear anything like that, but It is the truth, however painfull. The first couple classes Callahan brought in were clearly to overhual the offense, and the plan would be to 'make due' with the majority of the defensive players already on the team. Looking at our roster, most of the defense is Solich recruits still, and the lack of depth is certianly showing. As is the lack of speed. If the staff continues the method it apears they are, we should start to show dividends on the defensive side next season.
Many fans are showing anger and disgust at the thought of winning the North as a worthy goal for a Nebraska team. Saying it is As good as not having any goals. But this is a goal we have not reached sence 1999. And we cant reach larger goals without ataining this one. With the North to haev a shot at the Big 12 title. One step at a time.
We went through a downward spiral after the 2001 blow out at Colorado. It really did more that met the eye. For whatever reason, that loss seamed to shatter the Image and mistique the surrounded the program, we became mortal. Teams stopped fearing us, they had confidence from the begining, and began to use beating Nebraska as the measuring stick.
Solich failed to make the changes needed to keep the program from slipping and it continued to fall from glory. Even the 2003 season, that some call as a good point sence it was 9-3, showed that the Nebraska of old was gone. Getting blown out at home by Kansas State is proof enough.
2004 brought a change that many didnt want, and some still resent. And the rebuilding process began. It still continues, and may take another year or two before we are back.
The offense has started to come around, but is still missin g a few parts to really make it hum. Better play from the O-line, and a QB with better physical tools. Dont take that as a knock agaisnt Zac Taylor. He has been good for the program, and has good leadership. But as this season has show, he has hit is limit. The offense has been balanced overall and remains one of the better in the conference, even with glaring weaknesses in the O-line, and an average QB. With time both should remedy. And this has the potention to be one of the most powerfull offenses in college football.
The defense we all had high hopes for before the season started. The loss of Bowman hurt, bad. And Titas Adams and LeKevin Smith were apparently better than we gave them credit for. The secondary has been nothing short of horrible this year, but we expected that with the losses back there. The D-line has underperformed so far, but part of that may be a result of the secondary not being able to cover. The linebackers have heart, but not the speed to be dominant. But there apears to be some good young talent in the works, even if some like Dillard are currently hurt. Suh and Thenarse should be brightspots in the future for sure. I definatly see a bigger recruiting push on defense as the offense now has players to fit the mold of the WCO and the balance between offense and defensive recruits can get back to where it should be.
In closing, while the pressent may be frustrating and painfull, we look to have a bight future. There offensive skill possitions are stacked for the next few years. And there look to be some bright prospects on defense. While we hate to see our Huskers flownder in games, the level of rebuilding that we needed to accomplish was bigger than what we first thought. Be patient, be supportive, and have hope for the future.
