Has Nick Gates and the OL regressed from last season?

[jlb321]

it is year three ... if Riley is indeed a better coach, with a better staff, is a better recruiter and better at player development ( all of which seem to be the overwhelming consensus) vs Pelini then, if true, it ought to start showing up on the field

Bo was horrible, but even so, he played for three conference titles in 7 years

at this point you don't get any more mulligans if you decide that one of your position coaches is underachieving and you need to make a change

 

[HuskerLLM]

I would have thought at least Raridon got some PT but I guess not. I was reaching with Farniok and was just trying to make a point about redshirting. Really hope they figure out the best 5 OL because it seems like there is a disconnect between Riley and Cav sometimes.

And that's the exact criticism I was going after. I think he plays the experience card too. I have no inside info or binoculars scouting practice or reading the coach's mouths, but I do know that Utter did not perform at a Big Ten type level, especially down the stretch at the end of last season.

Rairdon is struggling physically, while he has the "wanta" he hasn't been able to handle Big Mick and Khalil so running third at center and guard right now. Still needs some added strength and size.

 

[dockentwo]

Exactly. To add to your point, I would argue that Cav and Davis' futures work hand in hand. Because the offense is more suited now for the pro-style offense, it's inevitable that the running backs won't get as many carries with the ball in their hands. However, it's not being wiped out completely like some fans are worried about, as there will be many dumped balls to the backs by Lee or POB. It will go down as a QB pass completion but it's still a RB with the ball.

I believe that Riley is 1000% serious about turning the corner again with Nebraska. Just look at our defensive staff—it's absolutely loaded with talented coaches and recruiters. Will the defensive staff carry the team so the offense doesn't have to score a ton of points? I don't know that yet. What I do know is that Cav and Davis have got to pull their weight this year or MR will need to make some serious decisions so his expectations meet reality.

Very good post imo.
- Agree on the 1000%
- HCMR is not in the mood to carry anyone; if they are not enough of an
asset, to still assist a committee to get the desired result.
- Can you imagine how good it was,in interviews, to hear the last D assistants list the
categories they had coached and attained top 5 national status and
there about. Compared to 112th and other such excuses.
- I believe we will have a dramatic turn around in the D. IMO

 

[Lovethehuskers]

If that were the case wouldn't Raridon, Farniok and Decker be clearly 1st string this spring?

If I were to criticize Cav for anything it would be that he seems to value playing experience too much. You won't convince me that Decker couldn't have done what Utter did last year, but Decker lacked experience so Utter gotbthe nod.

Decker all but quit playing football last year for personal reasons. He was not an option.
The cupboard was empty. I know it's an excuse for Cav which will no longer be the case. This is only his 3rd season which by the way is 12 practices in. His recruits are red shirt freshman. Give him some time. I believe it will get better. It's 5 months till the season.
If he isn't doing a good job and it's not a lack of depth and talent, Riley has shown he will deal with it accordingly.

 

[dinglefritz]

Yes, the offensive line is a huge concern. In the bowl game our line was relatively healthy. Yet we could not run at all against what was a historically awful Tennessee rush defense. I can excuse Gates not playing well against a great, great DE. But our inability to run the ball was a huge red flag. I had hoped that getting rid of Utter and the infusion of good young talent would improve things. But apparently it hasn't.

If I was coach Cav I would freshen up that resume and get it ready.

To be fair, Gates is not a left tackle at the next level and the guy he was trying to block most of the time against Tennessee was healthy and will probably be one of the first DLinemen off the board in the NFL draft this year. I have heard that Conrad is moving to Center because they like what they are seeing from Farniok at RT and think they can spare Conrad there. With Raridon struggling at center they need to find somebody to at least back up Decker if not beat him out.

 

[Cloud@Heart]

It's also possible our offensive line is struggling because our defensive line has improved dramatically! Hopefully?

 

[bomber89]

As long as we still have our starting Right tackle from last year starting I doubt there is any improvement in the O-line play. I was hoping Farniok would have taken over that position by now. If nobody can beat out DK at RT we are screwed. Everyone talks like Lee has a very quick release. For his own safety he better make it even faster!

 

[dinglefritz]

As long as we still have our starting Right tackle from last year starting I doubt there is any improvement in the O-line play. I was hoping Farniok would have taken over that position by now. If nobody can beat out DK at RT we are screwed.

I wouldn't be so sure that Farniok won't get that done by conference play. We'll see.

 

[michaeljjoe]

Not sure why folks are writing off an O-Line none of us have seen in action yet.

 

[timnsun]

As long as we still have our starting Right tackle from last year starting I doubt there is any improvement in the O-line play. I was hoping Farniok would have taken over that position by now. If nobody can beat out DK at RT we are screwed. Everyone talks like Lee has a very quick release. For his own safety he better make it even faster!

Don't forget people do improve from one year to the next. If DK is the starter it might be that he just got better.

Or, you might be right and we are screwed. It's hard to wait and see...

 

[Charlie Marlow]

Too early for all of this panic imo. The OL wasn't great last year, but they weren't as bad as some make out. I recall game after game of having our OL own the 4th quarter. They just didn't have the depth of talent to overcome the inevitable injuries. I think we will see a noticeable improvement this year. But it probably won't be overnight.

 

[TruHusker]

When was the last time you can remember an O line from Nebraska that moved the D line backwards? Until that happens, plan on the same ole..

As I read these posts I do find it interesting how quickly we all are to suggest a coach be gone.MR has set the standard in his short time here with his short leash and now it seems everyone is on it aside from the newbies.

 

[otismotis08]

Some day...