If you are looking for a potential good sign for the D

[Tuco Salamanca]

I am always looking for reasons to be optimistic about the upcoming season. I looked at a couple of years where we changed defensive coaches because we wanted to specifiy upgrade defense, 2003 when Solich hired Pelini as D.C. and 2008, when Pelini Bros replaced Cosgrove. In 2004 defense wasnt necessarily the reason Callahan was hired and clearly in 2015 Banker not the reason Riley was hired.

The improvement from the previous year was substantial

2002 23.9 ppg (45th) 2003 14.5 ppg (3rd)
2002 146.6 rushing yards per game (49th) 2003 119.3 (24th)
2002 361.9 total yards per game (55th) 2003 297.2 (12th)

Then
2007 37.8 ppg (115th) 2008 28.5 (81st)
2007 232.2 rushing YPG (117) 2008 116.5 (21st)
2007 476.8 total YPG (113th) 2008 349.8 (55th).

Sometimes it's just a matter of getting people to believe what you are telling them. While 2008 was not a. awesome defense by any stretch, the improvement in all 3 categories was pretty substantial.

Food for thought.

 

[kaz36]

This is no place for optimism. Don't you know our coaches suck?

 

[Tuco Salamanca]

I am a glutton for punishment

 

[TwinsRRUs]

After reading the post, I was surprised to go back and see that you were the one posting the analytics...

So now if the defense isn't better than last year people will have a right to complain?

Of the transitions you have mentioned, were either a huge change of scheme? Is this year considered a huge change of scheme if the 3-4 will only be run 50% of the time?

 

[Tuco Salamanca]

After reading the post, I was surprised to go back and see that you were the one posting the analytics...

So now if the defense isn't better than last year people will have a right to complain?

Of the transitions you have mentioned, were either a huge change of scheme? Is this year considered a huge change of scheme if the 3-4 will only be run 50% of the time?

Agree if you want to agree

Bitch if you want to bitch

Draw your own conclusions.

What is it with people asking permission for when they can complain or when they can expect results.

If you want to expect conference championships and a top 10 Defense the by all means feel free.

If you think the learning curve will be to high then say so. The point of a discussion board is to discuss.

 

[PeliniTheCrutch]

Sometimes it's just a matter of getting people to believe what you are telling them.

No doubt there.

 

[Tuco Salamanca]

As far as a huge scheme change, it's probably something to consider. A benefit of a scheme change is that everyone is learning at the same time, in me experience, when everyone is learning at the same time, the collaboration in the environment is better. People aren't as bashful to ask questions and the info flows more freely.

Edit - I know Cosgrove did not run 2 gap with his DLine and Pelini did or does, that would be a significant change in scheme.
Also not sure you will see a 50/50 split between odd and even fronts. As of right now, none of the DLinemen have shown they can generate a pass rush. The 3-4 allows Diaco the ability to still only send 4 but disguise who is coming more efficiently. If a DLinemen or 2 is able to generate a pass rush, I could see more even fronts. But I think the first 4 games we will see 3-4 and 3-3-5 with a bigger nickel.

 

[otismotis08]

Sometimes kids just need a swift kick in the a$$. Or someone else doing the kicking.

GBR

 

[Hoosker Du]

Sometimes kids just need a swift kick in the a$$. Or someone else doing the kicking.

GBR

I think this is a bigger reason for optimism than anything. Directly from one of the starters....there is a lot more accountability under Diaco than Banker. Banker was laid back, whereas Disco requires accountability.

 

[TwinsRRUs]

I think this is a bigger reason for optimism than anything. Directly from one of the starters....there is a lot more accountability under Diaco than Banker. Banker was laid back, whereas Diaco requires accountability.

It sounds like Diaco gets after them pretty good, which is needed many times.

Nice to have it stay in practice and not in interviews.

 

[TwinsRRUs]

whereas Disco requires accountability.

I am of the somewhat younger crowd and have never danced to disco... what kind of accountability is required with it?

 

[Hoosker Du]

I am of the somewhat younger crowd and have never danced to disco... what kind of accountability is required with it?

Oh let me tell ya, Disco requires a great deal of accountability. Better yet, allow Robert Hays and Julie Haggerty demonstrate to you Disco's requirements...

 

[dockentwo]

I am always looking for reasons to be optimistic about the upcoming season. I looked at a couple of years where we changed defensive coaches because we wanted to specifiy upgrade defense, 2003 when Solich hired Pelini as D.C. and 2008, when Pelini Bros replaced Cosgrove. In 2004 defense wasnt necessarily the reason Callahan was hired and clearly in 2015 Banker not the reason Riley was hired.

The improvement from the previous year was substantial

2002 23.9 ppg (45th) 2003 14.5 ppg (3rd)
2002 146.6 rushing yards per game (49th) 2003 119.3 (24th)
2002 361.9 total yards per game (55th) 2003 297.2 (12th)

Then
2007 37.8 ppg (115th) 2008 28.5 (81st)
2007 232.2 rushing YPG (117) 2008 116.5 (21st)
2007 476.8 total YPG (113th) 2008 349.8 (55th).

Sometimes it's just a matter of getting people to believe what you are telling them. While 2008 was not a. awesome defense by any stretch, the improvement in all 3 categories was pretty substantial.

Food for thought.

VERY NICE : I guess this is more from the D side :
The 2002 - 2003 ppg improvement is likely to happen. You have a new DC who has put top ranked red zone and other categories D's on the field , the cb coach has also done this. We have our best lb coach in ages and I believe our d-line coach is a future star. They all relate to players and demand performance. We have coaching , a proven system and a real ingredient - the developing Blackshirt attitude. ( Thanks for the Red Koolaide Tuco ! ).
SPECIAL TEAMS is an area for another game changing leap; we were so bad in most categories, there is room for earth shaking improvement ( and talent to return ).
Turnovers, Minnesota's new coach earned his way with top ranks in this department. We still have room to earn a game or two here - again coaching further improving ( and interviews are full of players with goals for it ).

SOME OF YOU MAY FIND THIS OFFENSIVE:

- OVERALL receiving will be as good or better. If greatly improved will be due more to qb.
- TE production simply will be improved. QB a prime factor.
- qb's doing progressions and simply throwing to the player the play was designed to have open,
will have some D's spinning on their heels and jumping to adjust and get out of the box.
- All the above will really open up the running game; rb's will also aid their cause by catching
passes.
- I believe more " group coaching ", of the o-line will improve things. Also these kids have pride
and it has to be hurt - I know what that would lead too from many here.
- More fun from the fb's
GBR
-

 

[HuskerHusaria]

I have a good feeling about Diaco.

 

[Tuco Salamanca]

Also just looked at the statistic for Wisconsin for 2012 and 2013.

In 2012 the badgers ran 4-3 and converted to a 3-4 in 2013 with Dave Aranda

2012 - 19.1 ppg
2013 - 16.3 ppg
2012 - 128.93 rush ypg
2013 - 102.54
2012 - 322.6 total YPG
2013 - 305.1

So a precedence of improvement in the B1G in at least 3 defensive categories. Again, if one is looking for potential positives in a scheme change.

 

[BroskiRed]

Also just looked at the statistic for Wisconsin for 2012 and 2013.

In 2012 the badgers ran 4-3 and converted to a 3-4 in 2013 with Dave Aranda

2012 - 19.1 ppg
2013 - 16.3 ppg
2012 - 128.93 rush ypg
2013 - 102.54
2012 - 322.6 total YPG
2013 - 305.1

So a precedence of improvement in the B1G in at least 3 defensive categories. Again, if one is looking for potential positives in a scheme change.

Good stuff here. I'll post last year's Nebraska defensive stats for comparison:
PPG-23.9 (Nearly identical 23.8 during Conference play)
Rush YPG-147.8 (132.7 during Conference play)
Total YPG- 363.7 (slightly better 347.9 during Conference play)

Coach Chryst said this week that while scheme is great, players make the scheme. Sounds trivial but it really isn't. I believe that this 3-4 scheme will put players in good position to make plays. I believe that Diaco has identified the chess pieces and that there are good players to make a leap this year in overall defense, especially scoring defense per game. In our division, that is huge. Look at these PPG offenses from last year during Conference play:
Northwestern-28.3
Wisconsin-27.7
Minnesota-27.2
Iowa-23.7
Purdue-22.9
Illinois-16.8

Nebraska had the second worst scoring offense during Conference play last year at 21.22 PPG, second to last next to mighty Illinois

If the offensive production increases along with improved defensive play we should be fighting for a spot in the BIG CG; no reason why we shouldn't considering these parameters

 

[TwinsRRUs]

If the offensive production increases along with improved defensive play we should be fighting for a spot in the BIG CG; no reason why we shouldn't considering these parameters

This.

This should be the team's expectation.

 

[timnsun]

This.

This should be the team's expectation.

I would be shocked if this weren't the team's expectation...

 

[jeans15]

I still think we are gonna run a 4-2-5 more than anything next year. Then gradually transform to a 3-4 by the end of the year or maybe even next spring.

 

[Tuco Salamanca]

I still think we are gonna run a 4-2-5 more than anything next year. Then gradually transform to a 3-4 by the end of the year or maybe even next spring.

Why?

Edit - and who are the front four?

 

[jeans15]

Why?

Edit - and who are the front four?

Only because I think that would be an easier transition for the players. Plus that was the D we saw in the spring game. Why even waste time with learning it if you're not gonna use it.

I get hiding your defense. But it needs repetition in game like conditions. The spring game was a perfect chance.

You can use last year starters of Freedom, Carlos, Mick. Maybe even one of our young DEs step up.

 

[Tuco Salamanca]

Ok cool, Thank you.

Have you heard that they practiced only the 4-2-5 during the 14 practices leading up to the spring game? I hadn't but that doesn't mean much.

 

[inWV]

The depth charts I've seen are reported as 3-4. Diaco has said they plan on using multiple fronts.

 

[jeans15]

Ok cool, Thank you.

Have you heard that they practiced only the 4-2-5 during the 14 practices leading up to the spring game? I hadn't but that doesn't mean much.

The depth charts I've seen are reported as 3-4. Diaco has said they plan on using multiple fronts.

I'm sure they practiced both. Maybe I just liked what I saw in the Spring game,

I don't judge pass rushing until the real games start. People don't want to get hurt in Spring games. The effort seems to be more in a control nature not all out effort.

 

[inWV]

IIRC, Diaco said they didn't play 3 man at the Spring Game is they didn't want to show it for opponents scouting. He said the plan is to play both 3 and 4 fronts

 

[Cornicator]

What about 2014 to 2015?

 

[Tuco Salamanca]

What about 2014 to 2015?

I don't follow.

 

[Cornicator]

I don't follow.

You don't think Nebraska wanted to upgrade defense between 2014 to 2015?

 

[Tuco Salamanca]

You don't think Nebraska wanted to upgrade defense between 2014 to 2015?

Much like 2004 with Callahan, I don't believe the main purpose of the Riley hire was SPECIFICALLY to upgrade the defense. I am sure that was hoped to be a byproduct. But I used the word specifically in my OP to avoid this discussion.

In 2003, while Solich hired Albin and Cotton, on the offensive side, I didn't get the impression that there would be wholesale changes to the scheme. On the defensive side, only Jamrog returned and I had the impression that there would be wholesale changes.

When Pelini was hired in for 2008 season, he was hired with the intent to upgrade the defense. I base this on the fact that he kept Watson and Gilmore in place for the transition.

 

[Dean Pope]

Sometimes kids just need a swift kick in the a$$. Or someone else doing the kicking.

GBR

This is very true for all teams. I expect the effort to be much greater this year. It also helps to coach for effort and we can all see that effort is a priority for Diaco.

 

[dockentwo]

This is very true for all teams. I expect the effort to be much greater this year. It also helps to coach for effort and we can all see that effort is a priority for Diaco.

Thats right, and I believe one could find 50 or more quotes from our D players backing up your statement

 

[scorcher2]

BOOKIE WITH FLORIDA HAT

Brendan Radley-Hiles

Rivals100 defensive back Brendan Radley-Hiles has been committed to Nebraska for three months and is one of the most high profile commits for the Huskers in the 2018 class. But he was one of the aforementioned players to draw the biggest reaction from his IMG teammates when he put on a Florida hat during his headshot session. Radley-Hiles has emerged as one of the most notable names in the class and while he said all the right things about the Huskers and his commitment to the school on Wednesday, his choice to pose with the Gators hat will clearly stir some conversation – and not just among the players at IMG.

 

[DudznSudz]

BOOKIE WITH FLORIDA HAT

Brendan Radley-Hiles

Rivals100 defensive back Brendan Radley-Hiles has been committed to Nebraska for three months and is one of the most high profile commits for the Huskers in the 2018 class. But he was one of the aforementioned players to draw the biggest reaction from his IMG teammates when he put on a Florida hat during his headshot session. Radley-Hiles has emerged as one of the most notable names in the class and while he said all the right things about the Huskers and his commitment to the school on Wednesday, his choice to pose with the Gators hat will clearly stir some conversation – and not just among the players at IMG.

And a Miami bracelet...trolling, IMO.

 

[jimbosc]

I think this is a bigger reason for optimism than anything. Directly from one of the starters....there is a lot more accountability under Diaco than Banker. Banker was laid back, whereas Disco requires accountability.

And he is a complete nutjob - which if done correctly - keeps everyone keyed up to avoid his wrath.

 

[jimbosc]

The depth charts I've seen are reported as 3-4. Diaco has said they plan on using multiple fronts.

Good - using our defensive personnel effectively has been a problem - we have kept good players on the bench because Pelini played who he trusted...or who had not pissed him off recently. Cos. seemed reluctant to be situational...that alone was grounds to fire him.

 

[Dean Pope]

Thats right, and I believe one could find 50 or more quotes from our D players backing up your statement

Unfortunately, you're right. I've heard it said many times that it's the players' job to get themselves motivated, from former Huskers and others. But the reality is that coaching has a huge effect as well.