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Honest question - Put yourself in the shoes of Mike Riley, what do you do?

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chicolby

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May 3, 2012
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There are a lot of questions about schemes, lack of athletic talent, lack of depth, play-calling, etc.

The fact of the matter is, if you're the head coach, you simply have what you have.

Knowing this, what would you do if you were the head coach? This can be as broad as "change the defensive scheme" to as narrow as "start Wilbon."

Truth be told, I'm not sure what a coach does in this situation. We're arguably a couple plays away from 3-0, but it would have been a smoke and mirrors 3-0 anyway. There are some key elements missing from this team and frankly, I can't put my finger directly on them. Sure, we can point to depth at LB, or even talent issues at the DB level or defensive end - but teams like Northern Illinois who have clearly less talent than Nebraska on the defensive side of the ball don't just lay down when they play an Ohio State. The amount of open receivers for Miami was startling to me. The lack of any consistent offense until the magic 8 minutes in the fourth quarter was startling to me. Add in an injured punter and a shaky field goal kicker, I'm seeing some major issues with this team.

This is why Mike Riley makes the big bucks. He's paid to patch this up and coach up what he has. That said, what would you do to turn this ship?
 
No way I change the defensive scheme this season, that's a disaster, see 2008 Missouri game. I would change the calling within the scheme, become more aggressive while allowing a new starter at one of the CB spots. Daniel Davie can still be a valuable part of this team, he's a great teammate that is facing the yips right now - it happens. I'd also slide Collins to the outside for around 10-15 plays, we have to find a way to get pressure and IMO, 3 of our 4 best DL guys are tackles.
 
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We are 2 plays from being 3-0. Hail mary and the INT from Armstrong in OT. We had all the momentum leading up to that play and if that ball isn't thrown we probably find a way to win in OT. So everyone settle down, stick to the game plan, maybe get our All-American back, and continue to improve leading up to the BIG 10.
 
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His options are limited, but I think GOBIGRED has what is probably the best approach to take....and pray POB comes in ready to start next year.
 
I'd leave the O alone. I think Langsdorf is the real deal and I'm willing to see how that shakes out. I'd start looking at JUCO talent for the D. Especially on the line. We need someone to get in here and be ready.
 
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If I am Riley I am doing exactly what I was hired to do. Me and my long time coaching family are making a great deal of money and more then I could get them anywhere else.
 
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chicolby said:
There are a lot of questions about schemes, lack of athletic talent, lack of depth, play-calling, etc.

The fact of the matter is, if you're the head coach, you simply have what you have.

Knowing this, what would you do if you were the head coach? This can be as broad as "change the defensive scheme" to as narrow as "start Wilbon."

Truth be told, I'm not sure what a coach does in this situation. We're arguably a couple plays away from 3-0, but it would have been a smoke and mirrors 3-0 anyway. There are some key elements missing from this team and frankly, I can't put my finger directly on them. Sure, we can point to depth at LB, or even talent issues at the DB level or defensive end - but teams like Northern Illinois who have clearly less talent than Nebraska on the defensive side of the ball don't just lay down when they play an Ohio State. The amount of open receivers for Miami was startling to me. The lack of any consistent offense until the magic 8 minutes in the fourth quarter was startling to me. Add in an injured punter and a shaky field goal kicker, I'm seeing some major issues with this team.

This is why Mike Riley makes the big bucks. He's paid to patch this up and coach up what he has. That said, what would you do to turn this ship?
Click to expand...
At this point really about the only thing he could look at is possibly letting Stewart or Hughes make the defensive calls. Right now the back end of the D is getting shredded, so you better find a way to get some blitzers free, because we are not getting any pressure with just 4 rushers.
 
1. I'd work on the blitz. We are not getting there, and there has to be a better way.
2. Unless someone got hot during their stint, I would give all of the backs a quarter to showcase their stuff against lesser talent. Wilbon, Newby, Taylor, Ozigbo all get a quarter, and Cross is the utility man on short yardage if Taylor isn't hot. He had his shot, let me see the youngsters.
3. Make Reed earn his money. We should be able to block a punt at some point. Kieron showed he can do it, now let's give him the opportunity.
4. Break in the youngsters as much as possible. I think we are already doing it to an extent, but if they aren't redshirting and are worthy, get them in there when you can.
5. As stated in another thread, have Newby or another LB line up on the end to see if they can get pressure.
 
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G0B1GRED said:
Lol at some of these "Husker fans" ^^^^^^^^^^^.



IMO, TA is the most improved player on the team this year so far. Might have something to do with coaching...
Click to expand...

I LOVE that TA is doing so well. Especially with POB coming in December. Give the kid a spring and a season as a backup and he's going to be more than ready.
 
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ridge22 said:
At this point really about the only thing he could look at is possibly letting Stewart or Hughes make the defensive calls. Right now the back end of the D is getting shredded, so you better find a way to get some blitzers free, because we are not getting any pressure with just 4 rushers.
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I really don't think our issues are all play calls or schemes. IMO, its Jimmies and Joes and not enough of em. I said it since spring. WE COULD NOT AFFORD INJURIES AT DE AND LINEBACKER an now we have had multiple. You want pressure, get some DEs that can do that. Our linebacker and DE cupboard is about as bare as it gets as far as experience and game readiness. We are going to have to play even more true freshmen and walkons this year and take our lumps.
 
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Pull a Tennessee and play all the true freshman starter type minutes. Look to the future, this should also help recruiting as it would be a massive eye opener for studs wanting immediate playing time and big name school.....
 
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dinglefritz said:
I really don't think our issues are all play calls or schemes. IMO, its Jimmies and Joes and not enough of em. I said it since spring. WE COULD NOT AFFORD INJURIES AT DE AND LINEBACKER an now we have had multiple. You want pressure, get some DEs that can do that. Our linebacker and DE cupboard is about as bare as it gets as far as experience and game readiness. We are going to have to play even more true freshmen and walkons this year and take our lumps.
Click to expand...

Everyone said this. It's not hard to know we are short at those positions. Time to get creative and have a solution for how to move forward.
 
tumblr_m9oqh37oQX1r3mol5.gif
 
Block out the nonsense and stay the course. We have committed to this dude, his system and his way of recruiting. Good or bad, we are the hook to see what the next couple years have to offer. I understand that, you should too. The road may get a hell of a lot bumpier, but that can come with an entire culture and system change. Suck it up and support this staff, or bitch without grounds.
 
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leodisflowers said:
Everyone said this. It's not hard to know we are short at those positions. Time to get creative and have a solution for how to move forward.
Click to expand...
Get creative? Yeah lets just run out 7 defensive backs and see what happens. That's about what it's down to now. We are going to take some lumps on defense and there is no way around it. We've got one game to try to get some walkons and maybe Ferguson up to speed and I just hope we can win this one. Then some guys are going to have to surprise us with their play. We're going to go in to the B1G play with multiple non-scholarship guys playing significant roles on defense.
 
Don't be Bo. Don't get stuck on 1 player in 1 and only spot and stick with them come hell or high water. Newby doesn't have it. Now Im not say it isn't the fault of our O line, but at least let another back have a shot for a series or 2. If something isn't working try something else!
 
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chicolby said:
There are a lot of questions about schemes, lack of athletic talent, lack of depth, play-calling, etc.

The fact of the matter is, if you're the head coach, you simply have what you have.

Knowing this, what would you do if you were the head coach? This can be as broad as "change the defensive scheme" to as narrow as "start Wilbon."

Truth be told, I'm not sure what a coach does in this situation. We're arguably a couple plays away from 3-0, but it would have been a smoke and mirrors 3-0 anyway. There are some key elements missing from this team and frankly, I can't put my finger directly on them. Sure, we can point to depth at LB, or even talent issues at the DB level or defensive end - but teams like Northern Illinois who have clearly less talent than Nebraska on the defensive side of the ball don't just lay down when they play an Ohio State. The amount of open receivers for Miami was startling to me. The lack of any consistent offense until the magic 8 minutes in the fourth quarter was startling to me. Add in an injured punter and a shaky field goal kicker, I'm seeing some major issues with this team.

This is why Mike Riley makes the big bucks. He's paid to patch this up and coach up what he has. That said, what would you do to turn this ship?
Click to expand...
In my unprofessional opinion, CB's are the worst problem. Seems like our corners are running for their lives to just keep up with the receivers with their back to the ball - no chance of breaking it up or intercepting. Next biggest problem is running back/running game. Must improve here quickly as the weather turns much colder and passing gets more difficult. Third is arguably no defensive pressure from our front 4 - very frustrating. Thought it was the strength of the team.. I would sit Lewis - he is a negative nellie towards the fanbase and has way too many stupid penalties for a sr.
 
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dinglefritz said:
Get creative? Yeah lets just run out 7 defensive backs and see what happens. That's about what it's down to now. We are going to take some lumps on defense and there is no way around it. We've got one game to try to get some walkons and maybe Ferguson up to speed and I just hope we can win this one. Then some guys are going to have to surprise us with their play. We're going to go in to the B1G play with multiple non-scholarship guys playing significant roles on defense.
Click to expand...

Yes get creative.. Not that hard of a concept as it is discussed in other threads. Potentially move Newby around to other positions, more nickel, or Ferguson. There are options. I never said roll out 7 defensive backs, but we have to do something.
 
leodisflowers said:
Everyone said this. It's not hard to know we are short at those positions. Time to get creative and have a solution for how to move forward.
Click to expand...

I agree. We've seen enough out of the DE group to know that we're in big trouble with B1G play starts. We need to figure something out to get an effective pass rush. Otherwise I don't even want to thing about what MSU is going to do.
 
Given the blocking I saw - Newby did OK with the chances he had - we just had to abandon the run so early to play catch up it was a non factor in the game.
 
Nebraska Gator II said:
The first thing I do is go back to the old Herbie Husker.



After that, I continue with the current plan, and I recruit like crazy. If the defense continues to struggle, I would get rid of Banker...but that won't happen because that is Riley's best friend.
Click to expand...

I've got to believe that they're starting to figure out what doesn't work, due to the changes we saw and players that have been taken out at the Miami game. Now that we're 3 games in I'm hoping that they've started to figure this out.
 
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This is going to sound sarcastic and a-holeish, but if what we've seen is the long term plan, then just stay with it. There's no short-term fixes that I can come up with that are reasonable. The fans might be upset, and we'll lose more games. But, we're seeing a blueprint (mostly) of the type of team we are trying to be. Of course we should be starting our best players, and giving any players that look to be starters/contributors some playing time. One could always hope that there's some hidden "gems" buried on our depth chart. And, if we get into some games with comfortable leads, then hopefully the coaching staff shows us some new faces.

Hand the ball off to the RB and have him run it up the gut. Hand the ball off to a WR and have him run a sweep. Throw the ball 60% of the time. Run the base defense, and have LB's pass cover. That's our game plan we might as well stick with it. Let the chips fall where they may. Try to recruit RB's that can run it up the gut. Try to recruit WR's that are shifty/fast. Try to recruit QB's that throw the ball as the one and only requirement. Try to recruit DB's that can cover one-on-one. Try to recruit LB's that can cover in pass coverage. Try to recruit OL for pass blocking. Stick with the game plan the coaches are "comfortable" with and try to make it work. We can't recruit players for schemes that we won't be running in 3 years.
 
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Nebraska Gator II said:
The first thing I do is go back to the old Herbie Husker. The latest one seemed to bring a curse with him....

ANEB4479_1024x1024.jpg


After that, I continue with the current plan, and I recruit like crazy. If the defense continues to struggle, I would get rid of Banker...but that won't happen because that is Riley's best friend.
Click to expand...

This is the best logo.
 
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Riley could have had easier jobs that paid more, in more fertile recruiting areas. Your statement is completely and totally false and you look small for saying that. 500mile, I doubt your smart enough to even string up a hammock.
 
litespeedhuskerfan said:
Riley could have had easier jobs that paid more, in more fertile recruiting areas. Your statement is completely and totally false and you look small for saying that. 500mile, I doubt your smart enough to even string up a hammock.
Click to expand...

How can a hypothetical be false? The OP asked , "Put yourself in the shoes of Mike Riley, what do you do?"
 
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