Is a night/day difference from last year. We sit in North end zone. Some of NIU's running plays started with huge holes that ended up being only 2 and 3 yard gains. That was great to watch.
Closing speed . . .
- Thread starter bob5150
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Huskers need some opening speed on offense.
Agree. The differences in closing speed, angle selection and tackling to the ground are night and day better.
Which explains why Rhule likes athletic freaks first and foremost..stars be damned.
The real test of that will be against Michigan but our back 8 look much quicker no matter who is back there
Not only closing speed, but the number of hats running to the ball is impressive. Not a lot of YAC given up.
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They are taking great athletes and turning them into football players. Clean up the turnovers and we are a pretty decent football team.
We forget but this is what the Blackshirts are supposed to look like. I love seeing the opponent get hit by several men in red at the same time.
It’s been so long since we’ve seen good tackling and defenders that really love to get after it at all levels. We always had a couple of dogs, but this defense is made up of dogs, and they still aren’t super talented top to bottom. They are making up for it in effort.
I think I can say goodbye to my fears of a slow QB scrambling for a back breaking 40 yard run against us…
So, question for the FB coaches out there......
This D got better under Bill Busch almost immediately. Clearly leading in some national statistics under White.
How often do guys like Chinander ever look at a turnaround like this and say, "Okay, bend and don't break the way I did it was wrong. I need to rethink some things."
This isn't a slam on Chins, it's a legit question how often coaches are honest after having facts rubbed in their face.
This D got better under Bill Busch almost immediately. Clearly leading in some national statistics under White.
How often do guys like Chinander ever look at a turnaround like this and say, "Okay, bend and don't break the way I did it was wrong. I need to rethink some things."
This isn't a slam on Chins, it's a legit question how often coaches are honest after having facts rubbed in their face.
I will say this. Humans have confirmation bias, big time. It is hard for people to change their mind on anything. Probably a pride thing. But, the best leaders are teachable themselves and can live with making mistakes if there is progress overall.
Coach Tom was told he needed speed on defense to get over the hump with Miami. He thought about it, agreed and the rest is history. No one points back to the time he held his fixed position. They only remember his greatness.
100%
The majority of people are unfortunately shallow... Pride, ego, etc. Including the majority of coaches in any given sport.
When you posted this you reminded me of the coach that went from an ACC or SEC school to Michigan, Mark something or other? He was a Michigan Man and their savior. Guy bombed in short order and was consistently buggered by Tressel. That's an example of pride, ego, etc getting in the way of realizing your plan isn't working and so not being open to something different. He was set on riding that pony into the dirt, and he did.
We just need a QB and some difference maker WRs for this offense. I think the line will develop over time.
It's actually not true that NU had no speed on those 87-92 teams Defensively. Neil Smith, Mike Croel, etc were very fast for their size and position. The problem was a lack of emphasis on DBs that could really play and weren't just converted RBs, and a defensive scheme that wasn't geared toward stopping the run. Playing against a wishbone OU for so long de-emphasized the need for speed and cover skills against elite receivers. Everything was put into DL and LB. Getting smoked by Miami and FSU finally resulted in better recruiting at DB and a change from 5-2 to a 4-3 scheme.
That Oklahoma qb jogging 60 yards while our defenders jogged even slower alongside him, not taking angles or just plain letting up was one of the most painful things I've ever seen on an NU football game. Top five. The other four involve Benhart.
We might be giving this line an identity. Few players can run block and pass block equally well. Ask any lineman and he wants to get out there and maul.
As a Rhule has more designed running plays for Haarberg, the line is going to salivate at the chance to get after the defense. Watch the replays and youll see guys like Benhart and Nouilli as the first guys to congratulate the QB after a long running play or score.
Watch closely people. The team is making incremental improvements across the board. Thats coaching. Watch Kansas, they are winning because of better coaching. Trust the process.
Not often. Lots of coaches are too arrogant and ultimately insecure to make a needed change.
