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Here is a good article on how NU's spring practice is going so far.
Man I am pumped, I can not wait for the spring game and for the season.
Man I am pumped, I can not wait for the spring game and for the season.
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Cool, thanks. CP's comin'.Go Huskers. -
QB's are alittle dinged up now.Don't know if Beck will play saturday or not. Coach Coz said "this might be the best unit I've ever had." RB's are coming along nicely.Herian is at full speed.Get more on later
Offensive line works out the details
BY STEVEN M. SIPPLE / Lincoln Journal Star
You hear “West Coast offense” and you might think “finesse.” Watching Nebraska’s spring practice this year, you think otherwise. “We want to be physical,” said Husker offensive line coach Dennis Wagner. “I think coach (Bill Callahan) is challenging our guys. We’ve tried to establish running the ball in every scrimmage and in everything we do. Run the ball. Run the ball. Run the ball.”
That mentality occasionally comes with a price, as Matt Slauson learned during practice Monday. About halfway through the workout, the starting right tackle suffered a black eye and a deep gash over his nose that required six stitches. He left practice for about 20 minutes to have the wound mended, then returned as if he had just gotten a drink of water as opposed to minor surgery.
“That’s a lineman’s way,” Slauson said with a smile.
Left tackle Chris Patrick, meanwhile, injured his right ankle in a scrimmage Saturday. It hurt like heck, he said. It was still sore Monday, but the junior practiced anyway.
Why not take a day off?
“Offensive linemen can’t do that,” said Patrick, smiling. “Maybe quarterbacks do that, and running backs. But not offensive linemen.”
Especially not when Nebraska is working to ingrain a rugged mentality into its offensive unit. Wagner said the Huskers are striving to be regarded as a hard-nosed, physical outfit across the board as they prepare for Saturday’s 12:30 p.m. Red-White Game at Memorial Stadium.
“You want to be known for something,” Wagner said. “We want Nebraska to be known for being a physical football team. And that’s the great part of our offense. We want to be able to pass and run. (But) if you can run the ball, it opens a lot more doors. We didn’t feel we ran the ball effectively last year, especially early in the season and midseason.
“The last three or four games, we had better numbers. But we can’t afford to wait. For us to be the kind of team we want to be this season, we have to establish a running game right away.”
Nebraska last season finished 107th nationally in rushing offense at 96.0 yards per game. Perhaps more telling, the Huskers were 101st in fourth-down efficiency (7-for-19, 36.8 percent). On fourth down, gaining tough yards often becomes paramount.
Callahan hasn’t exactly eschewed the run in his first two seasons at Nebraska. In 2004, the Huskers actually ran 56.1 percent of the time and passed on 43.9 percent of the plays. Last season, the Huskers’ run/pass ratio was 48.6/51.4.
In neither season did Nebraska receive consistent offensive line play.
“Obviously, we have a lot to work on and improve on,” Wagner said. “But when you run the football, you’re not going to have 50-yard runs every time. We’re talking to our guys about consistency. That means no tackles for losses. For every 1- or 2-yard gain, maybe there is a big run in there.
“We’re developing. That’s what spring ball is all about.”
Nebraska returns two full-time starters from last season’s O-line, center Kurt Mann and guard/center Greg Austin. Sophomore tackles Lydon Murtha and Slauson started three times late in the season and Patrick twice.
Mann, entering his third season as a starter, is sitting out spring drills following shoulder surgery. In his absence, Nebraska has struggled at times at center this spring.
“Center play is where we really have to become more consistent this spring,” Wagner said.
In Monday’s practice, for instance, Nebraska twice botched center-quarterback exchanges in the red zone.
Through the first seven spring practices, Austin, the starter at left guard last season, handled the bulk of first-string center duty. In the last five practices, junior Brett Byford, sophomore Andy Christensen and freshman Jacob Hickman have shared duty.
Junior Jordan Picou, limited this spring to no-contact work because of a shoulder injury, could be a factor at center come fall.
“There are high expectations for Jordan Picou,” Wagner said.
At tackle, Patrick and Murtha have taken the majority of repetitions on the left side, while Slauson anchors the right side ahead of junior college transfer Victory Haines.
At the guard positions, Austin, Christensen and sophomore Mike Huff typically alternate with the first string, while junior Brock Pasteur and redshirt freshman Rodney Picou work with the second unit. Hickman lately has jumped into the reserve guard fray.
“We’re getting better every day, protection-wise and running game-wise,” Patrick said. “I think it’s a night-and-day difference from last year’s spring football. I think guys are more confident. They know the playbook. It’s been the same offense now for the third straight spring. Guys are playing hard and fast.”
Wagner emphasized that competition for playing time will continue into fall camp, when five newcomers arrive, including transfer Carl Nicks.
“Your confidence had better be high, and you better be playing at a high level,” Wagner said. “If you’re not, somebody could take your spot.”
"The Dayne agreement"Comment
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The Nebraska football team put in the finishing touches for Saturday's Red-White game Thursday morning, with a 5:45 a.m. helmets only workout inside Memorial Stadium.
For most of NU's coaches, seeing 58,000 people at a spring game will be nothing new, but first-year tight ends coach Shawn Watson is definitely looking forward to the experience.
"It will be a lot of fun, Watson said. "I've heard about it and I can't wait to experience it.
Sophomore Joe Ganz will be the starting QB for the White squad on Saturday.
"For our recruiting, it's obviously showcases what Nebraska football is all about and the passion and excitement the people have for it."
Watson also serves as Nebraska's recruiting coordinator and he said he can't put into words how much the spring game will do for recruiting.
Of all the spring games that have taken place across the country, Texas has had the biggest crowd at 41,200 and Alabama was second at 40,000.
Of the 80 recruits expected to be in Lincoln, Waston said seven to eight of them will be players that already have scholarship offers from the Huskers.
"58,000 people…if you're a recruit and you show up and see that, you know how important football is," Watson said. "It's obvious that you want to play in a place that it's that important.
"I love what our fans our doing for us. That is so huge for our recruiting, because no one else in the country can say that."
Senior tight end Matt Herian will play with the Red team on Saturday.
As head coach Bill Callahan alluded to after Wednesday's practice, senior tight end Matt Herian will see live action on Saturday.
Watson said Herian and juniors Josh Mueller and J.B. Phillips will serve as the three tight ends on the Red squad.
"We're going to let him go," Watson said of Herian. "He's had a really good week of practice and I'm really encouraged with where he's at right now, so we're going to let him go."
However, Watson said Herian is still not at 100 percent, but he's getting closer and closer every day.
"He's not full speed yet, but I'll tell you he's really close," Watson said. "He's the best he's been since I've been here. I'm really encouraged. The last three days have been excellent days for him."
No decision on Beck yet
Offensive coordinator Jay Norvell said that senior Zac Taylor will be the Red quarterback on Saturday and sophomore Joe Ganz will be the starting quarterback for the White team.
Offensive coordinator Jay Norvell said sophomore QB Harrison Beck will not play if he's not at 100 percent.
Sophomore Harrison Beck practiced for the second day in a row, but Norvell said there still hasn't been a decision on if he'll play in the Red-White game. If Beck does play, he'll also work with the White team.
"Harrison is not completely healthy," Norvell said. "He's been sore, so he's not completely healthy.
"We wanted him to practice today to get some reps and to get him into some situations. I don't know if he's 100 percent to be able to go on this weekend."
If Beck is not at 100 percent, Norvell hinted that he may not go on Saturday.
"We need Harrison to play in the fall," Norvell said. "If he's not ready to play, then he won't play. We'll see how he's feeling and see how his shoulder is and we'll make that evaluation in the next couple days.
"We don't want him to play if he's not 100 percent. It's not fair to him."
Offensive line breakdown
Junior Chris Patrick as held down the left tackle spot all spring.
Offensive line coach Dennis Wagner will have his line broken in two groups of seven for Saturday's Red-White game.
The No. 1 line on the Red team will have junior Chris Patrick at left tackle, senior Greg Austin at left guard, sophomore Andy Christensen at center, sophomore Mike Huff at right guard and sophomore Matt Slauson at right tackle.
Wagner said that sophomore Lydon Murtha will serve as the swing tackle on the Red team and junior Brett Byford will play center for the Red squad.
"We're going to move some guys around just like we've done all spring," Wagner said. "It's still a situation where we're trying to put some different combinations on the field."
During spring ball, Austin worked the first two weeks as the No. 1 center and Christensen took over for the last two weeks.
"That was the plan all along," Wagner said. "The plan was to give Greg the first half and Andy the second of spring ball. They basically switched positions.
You have to constantly develop centers. Next year we lose two senior centers and Austin has always been a third center that's available to us, so we've got to develop guys because both he and Mann are seniors."
Quick hits
***There was a mild scare during Thursday morning's practice when junior cornerback Cortney Grixby went down with an ankle injury. However, Grixby walked it off and was able to come back in a few plays later.
***Norvell said both sophomore running backs Cody Glenn and Marlon Lucky will work as the running backs for the Red team on Saturday.
"They're different players then they were 15 practices ago," Norvell said. "They've made a lot of strides and we're really pleased with their development and they've got to continue to improve. They got the bulk of the reps this spring, they had to play hurt and banged up, like everyday backs are supposed to do and they've grown a bunch and developed this spring. We're really proud of them right now."
***As of 8 a.m. Thursday morning, close to 40,000 tickets have now been sold for Saturday's Red-White game.
***NU conducted a 90 minute helmets only workout inside Memorial Stadium on Thursday morning. Saturday's Red-White game is set for a 12Last edited by Iceman_44b; 04-13-2006, 01:31 PM.
"The Dayne agreement"Comment
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John Gruden was also in Lincoln this week or last week, not sure.He went to a practice. I did hear he was impressed with Zach Bowman and Marlon Lucky.
"The Dayne agreement"Comment
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huskers rock
I still miss the blue background.
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I think I agreeOriginally posted by maruske845huskers rock
Go Huskers.Comment
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On a serious note.....
Hey I wanna know how good Nebraska is going to be. And Im not talkin about somebody that thinks their going to open the season #1 and win it all, I wanna hear from someone with a realistic opinion. How is that lucky kid at running back? Is their defense going to be solid? One of my friends at my base is a die hard huskers fan and he said that the young qb (i forget his name) is real good but that writers said he "has no huddle presence" as one guy put it. Do you guys believe Callahan can turn it around? I just kinda wished a little ill will on the huskers for firing Solich after a 9-3 season. Anyone that goes 9-3 with Jammal Lord at qb is a pretty good coach IMO. But really, what is the realistic outcome you guys see from the Huskers? From a Sooner fan.
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Myself, Shawn (a chefs fan) and Mike on our way home from the Sand Trap in June '06. (Mildenhall AFB)Comment
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Realistically, we could go 10-2 in the reg season. That's not counting a possible Big 12 Championship or Bowl Games.Originally posted by Straz1999
Anyway, our defense is more than solid. I really think we'll be top 3 next barring any injuries.
I'm not so sure about Lucky at RB, though. That really isn't a problem because we have Cody Glenn(e?), Brandon Jackson, and the #1 juco recruit, who resembles Adrian Peterson.
Zac Taylor (the QB) will most likely be one of the top in the Big 12. He passed for 300 and 400 yards at least 5 times last year.
About Solich, he wasn't really the reason we were 9-3. Bo Pelini was the real reason and that's why the decline in D was so significant the next year with virtually the same players. When I saw that Pelini had gone to OU, I couldn't believe it. All in all, Solich took a National Championship team and didn't do **** afterwards as far as recruiting....Go Huskers.Comment
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I don't think listening to all of the hype quite is going to make the team any better than it was last year.
Sure, the O ran on the D. It's not like the two didn't practice against each other all spring long.
Look at OU. The D and the O were both nullified by each other.
You could say that that's more telling.
I don't see NU winning anymore than 7-8 games. Of course, first is their 'scrimmage' games to start the season off....then they can look forward to rebuilding team in KSU and CU. Of course, CU could surprise some people, imo.
And the fact that they're playing USC isn't all that it's cracked up to be, either.
They are without ALOT of players from last year, plus they'll be starting a freshman with NO spring practices under his belt, plus, his backup was just arrested for a possible sexual assault.
I can hear it now, if NU should beat USC.
The same can be said about Texass, and their same situation of a freshman QB and missing players in the D.
I hope OU and NU get to meet in the Big XII Championship......
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"It does not take a majority to prevail, but rather an irate,
tireless minority keen on setting brushfires of freedom in the minds of
men."
-- Samuel Adams
sigpicJacks RULE!!!!!!Comment
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OU is horrible on offense though so if they where nullified the defense got a lot worse and they are in for some trouble. Nebraska now has the recruits from the current coaching staff comming getting up to sophmore and juniors so they can start. With the players intended for this type of system Nebraska is going to be a lot better than they have been the past 5 years.Comment
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Hmm...after a quick glance at your shedule, you really shouldn't be calling ours easy...Originally posted by rcsodakAnd the fact that they're playing USC isn't all that it's cracked up to be, either.
They are without ALOT of players from last year, plus they'll be starting a freshman with NO spring practices under his belt, plus, his backup was just arrested for a possible sexual assault.
I can hear it now, if NU should beat USC.
The same can be said about Texass, and their same situation of a freshman QB and missing players in the D.
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UAB
Washington
@ Oregon
Midd. Tennesse State
@ Miz
Iowa State
Colorado
@ Texas A&M
Texas Tech
@ Baylor
@ Oklahoma State
I fail to see a tough game on there....maybe Oregon, even they lost their QB, RB, and best WR. We have all the same conference games, too except for Baylor (talk about a powerhouse) and Tech, who will probably be pretty good. So other than that, I don't see how our schedule is such a cupcake compared to yours.Go Huskers.Comment
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Pretty soon the Nebraska passing experiment will be a total failure, Callahan will be coaching wide receivers in Canada and Husker fans will be pondering the meaning of life.Comment
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Originally posted by deezan777
Hmm...really? Considering our QB was 29th in the nation in passing compared to your 78th, we're not looking too shabby. Y'all better hope you get your passing going because you're kidding yourself if you think AP is staying for his Sr. year.
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