Better than expected

[Husker5]

So Nebraska is expected to perform poorly this year by the experts. I completely disagree. Yes we lost some good players and of course Armstrong. I am honestly glad Tommy is gone. We now have a QB that will be better than 50%. Unlike the Osborn years, the pass should take the heat off the run.

Defense should be better with a guy like Diaco. Because we are changing to a new system we are regarded as a team that will not perform until year 2 of the 3-4. There will be growing pains but by kickoff they should be ready.

This year depends on whether the O line will perform. If they don't, it is time for Cav to go. Any coach that under performs has to move on. I hope our new assistants can coach as well as they recruit.

My 2 cents

Husker5

 

[Tuco Salamanca]

I share many of your thoughts.

I have some concerns about the OLine in the running game when the defense knows your going to run and we have to beat guys man on man.

I believe the early gameplan will be to use screen passes, underneath routes and RBs out of the backfield to neutralize the pass rush. If you can complete those passes at a high level, then the back 7,of opposing defenses, will be forced to play the pass more. That, in theory, should give the OL a 5 on 4 advantage at the LOS and allow for a more efficient running game.

As far as the defense goes, I am a firm believer that attitude is a major component of a successful defense. The attitude that coach Diaco brings to the table is infectious to a majority of players and resonates with other coaches. I also believe that this defensive staff is full of very good communicators. I believe these coaches will be able to get players to play at a level above their talent level by simply getting them to play fundamentally sound defensive football and play with swagger that we haven't seen in a bit.

I am not quite ready to make any predictions on the record for the whole season, but I believe we will win more than 7 games without a doubt. I also believe that this team will be tougher mentally than the last 2 seasons, especially on the defensive side of the ball. That will allow us to win some of the 50/50 games we have lost in the past several years.

 

[Husker.Wed.]

Yes we lost some good players and of course Armstrong. I am honestly glad Tommy is gone. We now have a QB that will be better than 50%. Unlike the Osborn years, the pass should take the heat off the run.
Husker5

If we play a team or two with a fierce pass rush that makes Tanner Lee their girlfriend, or if injuries cause our paper thin receiving corps to become ineffective, folks might wish Tommy was back there with his legs. Like most players and people, TA had plusses and minuses. However, we are moving on now and I will look forward to a different kind of offense, while remembering the good things TA did for us.

 

[timnsun]

If we play a team or two with a fierce pass rush that makes Tanner Lee their girlfriend, or if injuries cause our paper thin receiving corps to become ineffective, folks might wish Tommy was back there with his legs. Like most players and people, TA had plusses and minuses. However, we are moving on now and I will look forward to a different kind of offense, while remembering the good things TA did for us.

No doubt, he won us some games. No doubt, he lost us some games. With Lee or POB, no doubt they will win some games for us and lose some games for us. Nature of the position. I'm just expecting more consistency out of the position.

 

[HuskerLLM]

OL play

OLBs for a 3-4 D

WR depth/health

My concerns heading into the season

To a lesser extent NT

 

[Tuco Salamanca]

Tell you what, I have more confidence in Lee picking up a first down with his legs on a 3rd and 5 than I did with Armstrong picking up a first down on 3rd and 5 with his arm.

 

[huskerfan1414]

much like the Osborn years, the pass should take the heat off the run.

Fify

 

[huskerfan1414]

We will be better this year than last year. I dont know where all this fear is coming from. Every team has replacements and changes. Ours are upgrades all around.

 

[NikkiSixx]

I think the fact that we had special rules to protect the QB in the spring game is very telling. I think the OL will have difficulty blocking. There will not be any real umph to the running game. Opposing defenses will tee off and blitz, and we will hit some big plays and a few draws & screens, but most of the time, TL will be running for his life. I don't think we will be putting many points on the board offensively. Maybe 24 points a game. My hope is Bob Diaco goes Pelini-esque often & enough to keep the eyeballs on the defense and maybe he helps us win a few games.

 

[huskerfan1414]

Id rather not give up 70 to wisconsin.

 

[Tuco Salamanca]

I think the special rules in the spring game had as much to do with keeping any stunts and blitzes off film. The same reason they ran a 4 man front the whole game.

Why is it when anything good or positive happens in a spring game or practice it is brushed off as well it's just a spring game and not indicative of future success but man when something bad or negative happens, well then it's proof positive the year will be crap?

 

[huskerfan1414]

Nobody blitzes in scrimmages for petes sake. Thats what the scout team is for in practice.

 

[bigboxes]

I think the fact that we had special rules to protect the QB in the spring game is very telling. I think the OL will have difficulty blocking. There will not be any real umph to the running game. Opposing defenses will tee off and blitz, and we will hit some big plays and a few draws & screens, but most of the time, TL will be running for his life. I don't think we will be putting many points on the board offensively. Maybe 24 points a game. My hope is Bob Diaco goes Pelini-esque often & enough to keep the eyeballs on the defense and maybe he helps us win a few games.

Id rather not give up 70 to wisconsin.

Pelini-esque. LOL

 

[Hoosker Du]

I think the fact that we had special rules to protect the QB in the spring game is very telling. I think the OL will have difficulty blocking. There will not be any real umph to the running game. Opposing defenses will tee off and blitz, and we will hit some big plays and a few draws & screens, but most of the time, TL will be running for his life. I don't think we will be putting many points on the board offensively. Maybe 24 points a game. My hope is Bob Diaco goes Pelini-esque often & enough to keep the eyeballs on the defense and maybe he helps us win a few games.

This post left me scratching my head. Doesn't every spring game in the history of every program's spring games have special rules to protect the QB?

And hoping Diaco goes "Pelini-esque" may very well be grounds for an insta-ban from the mods. Please don't jinx our defense like that..

 

[NikkiSixx]

This post left me scratching my head. Doesn't every spring game in the history of every program's spring games have special rules to protect the QB?

And hoping Diaco goes "Pelini-esque" may very well be grounds for an insta-ban from the mods. Please don't jinx our defense like that..

I think it's a good thing that Diaco is a bit like Pelini, in fact I called him Pelini 2.0 some time ago, meaning a potential upgrade of a similarly fiery defensive coach. I don't see how you twist that into a negative thing. Regardless, I do follow the rules here, which most people do not, so I'm the least bit concerned about a ban.

 

[Hoosker Du]

I think it's a good thing that Diaco is a bit like Pelini, in fact I called him Pelini 2.0 some time ago, meaning a potential upgrade of a similarly fiery defensive coach. I don't see how you twist that into a negative thing. Regardless, I do follow the rules here, which most people do not, so I'm the least bit concerned about a ban.

I was just joking about the ban, and the Pelini - Diaco fiery coach comparison makes some sense, but I'm hopeful that Diaco isn't nearly as prone to the blowouts that Pelini experienced when respectable teams took the field against us.

 

[yort2000]

Defense should be better with a guy like Diaco. Because we are changing to a new system we are regarded as a team that will not perform until year 2 of the 3-4. There will be growing pains but by kickoff they should be ready.


Husker5

Notre Dame Scoring Defense Rank
2010 - 23rd (Bob Diaco's 1st year at UND installing a new defensive system)

Nebraska Scoring Defense Rank
2016 - 33rd
2015 - 76th
2014 - 59th
2013 - 50th
2012 - 42nd
2010 - 9th
2009 - 1st

If history is any guide, the odds are high that he will be able to install a new 1st year defense that is better than anything we've seen around here for quite a few years.

 

[huskerfan1414]

Notre Dame Scoring Defense Rank
2010 - 23rd (Bob Diaco's 1st year at UND installing a new defensive system)

Nebraska Scoring Defense Rank
2016 - 33rd
2015 - 76th
2014 - 59th
2013 - 50th
2012 - 42nd
2010 - 9th
2009 - 1st

If history is any guide, the odds are high that he will be able to install a new 1st year defense that is better than anything we've seen around here for quite a few years.

This.

 

[nebcountry]

3 for 3. I just picked 3 teams from the B1G. OhSU, Wisconsin, and Michigan were all blitzing in their spring games.

Why were we so plain? What do you think would have happened had the defense cut loose with everything they want to do? It would have been a bloodbath on and then later off the field.

 

[dockentwo]

Tell you what, I have more confidence in Lee picking up a first down with his legs on a 3rd and 5 than I did with Armstrong picking up a first down on 3rd and 5 with his arm.

Man your good, qb;s have that ability; and TA often was taking off in his backward loop to sling it. You can see what your saying in the Spring game film; even with Gebbia and he was still playing to get a receiver open as he went on lateral scrambles.

 

[ThereIsNoPlace]

So Nebraska is expected to perform poorly this year by the experts. I completely disagree. Yes we lost some good players and of course Armstrong. I am honestly glad Tommy is gone. We now have a QB that will be better than 50%. Unlike the Osborn years, the pass should take the heat off the run.

Defense should be better with a guy like Diaco. Because we are changing to a new system we are regarded as a team that will not perform until year 2 of the 3-4. There will be growing pains but by kickoff they should be ready.

This year depends on whether the O line will perform. If they don't, it is time for Cav to go. Any coach that under performs has to move on. I hope our new assistants can coach as well as they recruit.

My 2 cents

Husker5

When exactly were the Osborn years?

 

[Tuco Salamanca]

3 for 3. I just picked 3 teams from the B1G. OhSU, Wisconsin, and Michigan were all blitzing in their spring games.

Why were we so plain? What do you think would have happened had the defense cut loose with everything they want to do? It would have been a bloodbath on and then later off the field.

OSU didn't even tackle in their game.

Secondly, new defense didn't want anything on film.

But continue living under your dark cloud.

 

[timnsun]

OSU didn't even tackle in their game.

Secondly, new defense didn't want anything on film.

But continue living under your dark cloud.

I heard that they didn't tackle because they don't know how. They are in big time trouble, and their fans are already anticipating a losing season on the strength of their spring game...

 

[19Football19]

Notre Dame Scoring Defense Rank
2010 - 23rd (Bob Diaco's 1st year at UND installing a new defensive system)

Nebraska Scoring Defense Rank
2016 - 33rd
2015 - 76th
2014 - 59th
2013 - 50th
2012 - 42nd
2010 - 9th
2009 - 1st

If history is any guide, the odds are high that he will be able to install a new 1st year defense that is better than anything we've seen around here for quite a few years.

This. Granted, we don't have the athletes.

 

[huskerfan1414]

Looking back on that 2010 season for notre dame is strange. They lost to tulsa and navy, but beat usc and miami and ranked utah and played only two ranked teams all year but they also played the toughest schedule by opponent win percentage.

 

[GretnaShawn]

If you go position by position, the only real loss is at WR. A person could argue TE as well. But TA never threw to them, so their impact was small, so how big of a loss is it really?

QB - hoping for an upgrade, should be improvement on 'fit'
RB- same
TE - loss of talent, increase in productivity
OT - same
OG - same
C - improvement

DE- same
NT - same? Loss because of change of scheme
OLB - Loss because change of scheme?
MLB - same/improved
S - same. Gerry was a nice player, but inconsistent.
CB - improved

 

[TheBeav815]

If you go position by position, the only real loss is at WR. A person could argue TE as well. But TA never threw to them, so their impact was small, so how big of a loss is it really?

QB - hoping for an upgrade, should be improvement on 'fit'
RB- same
TE - loss of talent, increase in productivity
OT - same
OG - same
C - improvement

DE- same
NT - same? Loss because of change of scheme
OLB - Loss because change of scheme?
MLB - same/improved
S - same. Gerry was a nice player, but inconsistent.
CB - improved

Never thought I'd say this, but RB will have to prove it's not a downgrade. Newby transformed himself the last couple years and was a nice back by the end. Ozigbo has stagnated (at best) and we still don't know if Wilbon has put it all together. Tre Bryant looks like the real deal.

Hoping they hit the walk on jackpot with Mazour (sp?). People don't seem to mention his name in connection with the relative quiet on RB recruiting, but they might think they've found a gem with him. At least enough that it's not doomsday if they don't take an RB in a small class.

The OL has got to, got to, got to have a breakout season. They've gotten some young talent in and a couple years to get them bulked up. Time for them to start playing up to their star ratings.

 

[GretnaShawn]

Never thought I'd say this, but RB will have to prove it's not a downgrade. Newby transformed himself the last couple years and was a nice back by the end. Ozigbo has stagnated (at best) and we still don't know if Wilbon has put it all together. Tre Bryant looks like the real deal.

Hoping they hit the walk on jackpot with Mazour (sp?). People don't seem to mention his name in connection with the relative quiet on RB recruiting, but they might think they've found a gem with him. At least enough that it's not doomsday if they don't take an RB in a small class.

The OL has got to, got to, got to have a breakout season. They've gotten some young talent in and a couple years to get them bulked up. Time for them to start playing up to their star ratings.

Agreed. Newby was a good back. But he was worse than the last 3 (Ameer, Rex, Helu) starting RBs by a wide margin. The drop off from Newby won't be as hard. He was a nice back, but not a great back.

On the OL, it is addition by subtraction when it comes the center position. And we finally have some reasonable depth. When was the last time we had true competition alone the OL (not just one position)? Those factors alone should make for improvement.

 

[Tuco Salamanca]

Again I have concerns about the OLine but when you look back at last year outside of 3 really poor games, Ohio St, Iowa and Tennessee, Nebraska ran for almost 200 yards per game. Was some of that Armstrong? Absolutely. If Armstrong was able to hit on 5-7% more of his passes would that number have been better? Clearly. If Armstrong was not hurt against Iowa and Tennessee are those games different? I believe so. Maybe not the ultimate outcome, but those games are much more competitive.

Now 200 YPG isn't what some of us old school guys remember as great running games. But when you add in 200 through the air it isn't bad.

Wisconsin, who some on here believe is some sort of gold standard to emulate ran for 203.1 YPG in 2016. Ohio St 245.2 YPG.

I guess the point to this diatribe is that as bad as we think the OLine played in 2016, most of the struggles were in games where the starting QB didn't play or played with one leg.

That year of experience is huge.


Edit - I am a firm believer in OLine play. But I believe OLine play is geared toward the game plan and the scheme. When you have a QB that doesn't use the pocket, or step up into the pocket, and instead looks to loop and move outside, that forces an OT to either reach block and force the rush inside, or be so athletic to drive him deeper than the QB. In the run game, opposing defenses did what they could to take away the run and force Armstrong to throw. And even then, in games Armstrong played, we averaged 200 yards on the ground.

I believe we have a tendency, as fans, to take things to the extreme. In our minds and thoughts, things that were decent become awesome and something that wasn't great becomes much worse than it actually was.

 

[yort2000]

This. Granted, we don't have the athletes.

Notre Dame Scoring Defense Rank
2009 - 64th
2008 - 43rd

 

[TheBeav815]

Again I have concerns about the OLine but when you look back at last year outside of 3 really poor games, Ohio St, Iowa and Tennessee, Nebraska ran for almost 200 yards per game. Was some of that Armstrong? Absolutely. If Armstrong was able to hit on 5-7% more of his passes would that number have been better? Clearly. If Armstrong was not hurt against Iowa and Tennessee are those games different? I believe so. Maybe not the ultimate outcome, but those games are much more competitive.

Now 200 YPG isn't what some of us old school guys remember as great running games. But when you add in 200 through the air it isn't bad.

Wisconsin, who some on here believe is some sort of gold standard to emulate ran for 203.1 YPG in 2016. Ohio St 245.2 YPG.

I guess the point to this diatribe is that as bad as we think the OLine played in 2016, most of the struggles were in games where the starting QB didn't play or played with one leg.

That year of experience is huge.


Edit - I am a firm believer in OLine play. But I believe OLine play is geared toward the game plan and the scheme. When you have a QB that doesn't use the pocket, or step up into the pocket, and instead looks to loop and move outside, that forces an OT to either reach block and force the rush inside, or be so athletic to drive him deeper than the QB. In the run game, opposing defenses did what they could to take away the run and force Armstrong to throw. And even then, in games Armstrong played, we averaged 200 yards on the ground.

I'd like to see them go for about 250 yards of each in a game where they can get 500 yards, but I suspect they'll lean more toward 300p/200r or even 350p/150r.

Valid point about TA not "climbing the pocket." There were a lot of plays where he could have stepped up toward center and made a play, but he tended to do that twirl and bail out to his left. We'll see how Lee is with his pocket presence. He's more capable with his legs than people think.
I believe we have a tendency, as fans, to take things to the extreme. In our minds and thoughts, things that were decent become awesome and something that wasn't great becomes much worse than it actually was.

 

[Tuco Salamanca]

In 2016, the teams we completed against in the west had the following per game averages in 2016

Wisconsin 203 rush 180 pass
Iowa 172 rush 153 pass
Minnesota 184 rush 173 pass
Northwestern 153 rush 245 pass
Illinois 140 rush 175 pass
Purdue 96 rush 295 pass.


Nebraska 170 rush 212 pass.

It will be interesting to see how it looks after 2017.

 

[Husker.Wed.]

p o

Hoping they hit the walk on jackpot with Mazour (sp?). People don't seem to mention his name in connection with the relative quiet on RB recruiting, but they might think they've found a gem with him. At least enough that it's not doomsday if they don't take an RB in a small class.
.

Seems every year someone flashes at the Spring Game, but sometimes isn't heard much from again. I'm hoping Mazour isn't one of those. He picked up seven more yards when he was almost down and the D gave up on the play by putting his hand down. His run to set up his score and scoring run were nifty. He ran a great route over the middle and turned it up for big yards, and I think I remember him turning a swing pass into a nice gain by taking on the safety. If given a chance, I bet he makes waves.

 

[BigRedballz]

If you go position by position, the only real loss is at WR. A person could argue TE as well. But TA never threw to them, so their impact was small, so how big of a loss is it really?

QB - hoping for an upgrade, should be improvement on 'fit'
RB- same
TE - loss of talent, increase in productivity
OT - same
OG - same
C - improvement

DE- same
NT - same? Loss because of change of scheme
OLB - Loss because change of scheme?
MLB - same/improved
S - same. Gerry was a nice player, but inconsistent.
CB - improved

Maybe I'm just being hopeful or overly optimistic but I believe Trey Bryant is going to be an upgrade. I liked Newby but he didn't break a lot of tackles or run with any anger like I expect out of Ozigbo and Bryant.

 

[DudznSudz]

Maybe I'm just being hopeful or overly optimistic but I believe Trey Bryant is going to be an upgrade. I liked Newby but he didn't break a lot of tackles or run with any anger like I expect out of Ozigbo and Bryant.

Yeah, I felt the same way! I thought Newby was a very talented athlete and, especially by his senior season, really looked the part. Having said that, he just didn't have that drive to go out there and bash into people HARD and fight for yardage in the same way backs of the past have. It was like, he was built like a freaking beast, but maintained more of a speed/finesse back type running style? I could never put my finger on it, but he wasn't a battering ram, nor did he seem to exhibit the same level of grit and drive that Abdullah had.

 

[Hoosker Du]

I heard that they didn't tackle because they don't know how. They are in big time trouble, and their fans are already anticipating a losing season on the strength of their spring game...

Clearly Diaco can't teach our players the 3-4, because I saw us running the 4-3, some 5-2, some 6-3, and an 11-man front on 3rd and long a few times.

I also saw him with an electric football game on the sideline trying to convey his concepts to our players. 2 of the LBs were vibrating in circles, 2 DLinemen were dosey-doeing because their arms got hooked, and 1 of the DBs fell over on his side, and looked like he was having a grand-mal seizure. This Diaco guy...I'm not so sure about this guy.