Kevin Williams will be on 1620

[nebcountry]

While I agree the previous staff did not do a good job on roster management but lets keep in mind they were fired. Riley and crew are responsible for the play on the field. As far as the Dline goes starting last year they had plenty and good talent redshirting because it all left does not give them a pass on this

If everything was rosy then we would not have hired a new staff - and we hired a staff with lot of experience to fix these problems

Me, a voice of reason? Meh. We are not in a very good position for Nebraska football. Pelini did not leave us in good shape. Does that mean Mike Riley & Co get a free pass? Absolutely not. Does that mean it's all Mike Riley & Co's fault. Absolutely not.

Mike Riley will be in a position this year to do what no other coach has done at NU in the modern era of football, have back-to-back losing seasons. And unfortunately, that's a grim possibility.

 

[JohnRossEwing]

Me, a voice of reason? Meh. We are not in a very good position for Nebraska football. Pelini did not leave us in good shape. Does that mean Mike Riley & Co get a free pass? Absolutely not. Does that mean it's all Mike Riley & Co's fault. Absolutely not.

Mike Riley will be in a position this year to do what no other coach has done at NU in the modern era of football, have back-to-back losing seasons. And unfortunately, that's a grim possibility.

Oh man...please don't say that!

 

[anon_umk0ifu6vj6zi]

I said JP was an improvement over Hank. Do you need a link for that?

Yes. Hank had 3 players leave early. JP had 2 on his watch, and 0 recruits. Yeah, I see a huge difference considering both left after he had them for a Spring. Both were Bo recruits, so we know they are great kids, who play the game for the right reasons.

 

[SnohomishRed]

Me, a voice of reason? Meh. We are not in a very good position for Nebraska football. Pelini did not leave us in good shape. Does that mean Mike Riley & Co get a free pass? Absolutely not. Does that mean it's all Mike Riley & Co's fault. Absolutely not.

Mike Riley will be in a position this year to do what no other coach has done at NU in the modern era of football, have back-to-back losing seasons. And unfortunately, that's a grim possibility.

Lets hope this year turns out well - Riley has the time to do things right - recruiting is looking better and there is still talent on this team. I am convinced that defense is what will make or break him. Riley has always been a good offensive mind, Banker I have less faith in but it is what it is

No matter the record Riley is safe this year and maybe next -

 

[NikkiSixx]

Yes. Hank had 3 players leave early. JP had 2 on his watch, and 0 recruits. Yeah, I see a huge difference considering both left after he had them for a Spring. Both were Bo recruits, so we know they are great kids, who play the game for the right reasons.

Well I guess neither of them has bought a house and both collected paychecks, so I could understand why you questioned the improvement argument.

 

[Archie Graham]

It is fair to consider that different offensive/defensive identities will have different player & position requirements, however I don't think one can place blame solely on the prior staff because the new staff has a different scheme. You really don't want to get in the habit of using the old coach as a scapegoat either. Mike's been coaching a long time. He is running the show and can be held responsible for the results he produces.

To be clear, I didn't say it was exclusively on the previous staff. Obviously we whiffed last year; however, we made a swift change and brought in what appears to be a much stronger recruiter.

 

[Archie Graham]

While I agree the previous staff did not do a good job on roster management but lets keep in mind they were fired. Riley and crew are responsible for the play on the field. As far as the Dline goes starting last year they had plenty and good talent redshirting because it all left does not give them a pass on this

If everything was rosy then we would not have hired a new staff - and we hired a staff with lot of experience to fix these problems

Our defensive line was NOT talented last year. Collins was the only force for the whole year. Did you forget who got loads of snaps at DE last year? If you think that is quality line talent I don't know how to help you.

They were hired to fix the problem but roster mismanagement can't be cured in 1-2 seasons. Period.

 

[SnohomishRed]

Our defensive line was NOT talented last year. Collins was the only force for the whole year. Did you forget who got loads of snaps at DE last year? If you think that is quality line talent I don't know how to help you.

They were hired to fix the problem but roster mismanagement can't be cured in 1-2 seasons. Period.

The interior was fine but the DE situation was bad some due to injuries also but thin either way. Yes it takes a couple of years to change a roster however that is why I really thought we would get a JUCO this year. Hughes was not a good recruiter and Kudos to Riley for replacing him but where was the concern during the recruiting cycle for such a clear area of need - could not Banker have stepped in or Bray and at least put a plug in the leak. You really cannot give up a full recruiting cycle for a position of need like that

 

[Harry Caray]

Me, a voice of reason? Meh. We are not in a very good position for Nebraska football. Pelini did not leave us in good shape. Does that mean Mike Riley & Co get a free pass? Absolutely not. Does that mean it's all Mike Riley & Co's fault. Absolutely not.

Mike Riley will be in a position this year to do what no other coach has done at NU in the modern era of football, have back-to-back losing seasons. And unfortunately, that's a grim possibility.

Agree. Pelini is definitely to blame for bad roster management and a negative culture. But the current staff blew several winnable games last year with questionable playcalling/clock management down the stretch.

Nobody forced Riley to take this job. One of the main reasons he took it was so that he didn't have to fire his good friends (Banker, Read, Cav, etc). So he should be held responsible for the results that they produce. Riley did not walk into a perfect situation, but most new coaches don't. In the end, we are a program with a ton of resources in a very weak division. We should never finish 1-5 in that division like we did last year.

 

[anon_umk0ifu6vj6zi]

Well I guess neither of them has bought a house and both collected paychecks, so I could understand why you questioned the improvement argument.

It's all about where they sleep. You know that!

 

[Archie Graham]

The interior was fine but the DE situation was bad some due to injuries also but thin either way. Yes it takes a couple of years to change a roster however that is why I really thought we would get a JUCO this year. Hughes was not a good recruiter and Kudos to Riley for replacing him but where was the concern during the recruiting cycle for such a clear area of need - could not Banker have stepped in or Bray and at least put a plug in the leak. You really cannot give up a full recruiting cycle for a position of need like that

We needed one guy. No doubt about it. But that is nowhere near as significant as the holes in the inherited roster.

 

[inWV]

Hughes was not a good recruiter

It's hard to say that. Did he really even try to recruit. Can you say I am a terrible hockey player if you never see me on the ice?

 

[BigRedTed37]

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Double Nickel sure went off on 1620 today in regards to KW.

 

[Redblood23]

I don't understand why he was even interviewed in the first place..

 

[Charlie Marlow]

It's kinda like when I eat some 3 day old hot dog from a gas station. Can't wait to get it all pooped out of my system once and for all.

 

[HBK4life]

Double Nickel sure went off on 1620 today in regards to KW.

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JP said exactly what I posted a few days ago. "How do you just leave as an upper classman?" 'How do you hang your brothers out to dry like that?" Boom. Nuff said. Team better off without these Bo-Kaz leftover whiny quitters. Peace. Next man up.

 

[HBK4life]

JP said exactly what I posted a few days ago. "How do you just leave as an upper classman?" 'How do you hang your brothers out to dry like that?" Boom. Nuff said. Team better off without these Bo-Kaz leftover whiny quitters. Peace. Next man up.

Anyone else find it strange that Banker had to find out from reporters that his D line boys were leaving? Who leaves as a SENIOR STARTER?? It has been mentioned that this is a good thing. That basically the last of the Bo-Kaz poisoned well guys are now gone. Anyone else get that sense or am I being paranoid?? HBK4life, Saturday at 7:18 PM

 

[timnsun]

Anyone else find it strange that Banker had to find out from reporters that his D line boys were leaving? Who leaves as a SENIOR STARTER?? It has been mentioned that this is a good thing. That basically the last of the Bo-Kaz poisoned well guys are now gone. Anyone else get that sense or am I being paranoid?? HBK4life, Saturday at 7:18 PM

To me what it says is that Williams and McMullen kept it from him... I know the coach should know what's going on in his players' minds, but the gate swings both ways. Williams and McMullen could have gone to him and said, "Coach, I'm struggling here..." Maybe they did, I don't know. But the reality is they could have taken that step too. Williams and McMullen were obviously playing it very close to the vest.

Maybe it also says that Banker was more invested in the guys who wanted to be there...

 

[SnohomishRed]

To me what it says is that Williams and McMullen kept it from him... I know the coach should know what's going on in his players' minds, but the gate swings both ways. Williams and McMullen could have gone to him and said, "Coach, I'm struggling here..." Maybe they did, I don't know. But the reality is they could have taken that step too. Williams and McMullen were obviously playing it very close to the vest.

Maybe it also says that Banker was more invested in the guys who wanted to be there...

Throw Valentine in there in that Banker was surprised by his departure. What it says to me is that these players did not respect the coaches. Some of that was probably their attachment to Pelini and some of it was probably Kaz poisoning the well. However some of it is a leadership vacuum, Hughes didn't get to know these guys and neither did Banker.

 

[anon_umk0ifu6vj6zi]

Throw Valentine in there in that Banker was surprised by his departure. What it says to me is that these players did not respect the coaches. Some of that was probably their attachment to Pelini and some of it was probably Kaz poisoning the well. However some of it is a leadership vacuum, Hughes didn't get to know these guys and neither did Banker.

Or Parrella

 

[timnsun]

Throw Valentine in there in that Banker was surprised by his departure. What it says to me is that these players did not respect the coaches. Some of that was probably their attachment to Pelini and some of it was probably Kaz poisoning the well. However some of it is a leadership vacuum, Hughes didn't get to know these guys and neither did Banker.

Can't poke a hole in this assessment... Good points.

 

[inWV]

The veterans underperformed last fall. Williams is obviously a head case, Gregs heart doesn't seem to be in it. Vince is really the one who should still be in red. He could be "the guy" this fall with KM, helping to bring the young guys along.
Good luck and good health to Kevin.

 

[inWV]

If I were coaching at a place like NU and felt I had to massage the egos of some older guys who really had to still prove it on the field, I don't think I'd be too happy. And when the "non-Maliek 3" sequentially bailed on their teammates, I might also be a bit bemused and turn my attention to those who are deserving of it.

 

[Nebraska Fan]

To be clear, I didn't say it was exclusively on the previous staff. Obviously we whiffed last year; however, we made a swift change and brought in what appears to be a much stronger recruiter.

my understanding is each coach has an assigned area of the country and is responsible for all positions, the position coach is responsible for the positions everywhere and Riley is responsible for all positions anywhere. To lay the failure on Hughes for the DL is kind of disingenuous as we struck out on all three levels.

 

[Hoosker Du]

He misses those stellar Stat Pelini 2 gap defenses we saw all the time. Oh wait that was Suh and Crick.

Those Pelini defenses padded stats alright...to the tune of 408 yards.

 

[timnsun]

my understanding is each coach has an assigned area of the country and is responsible for all positions, the position coach is responsible for the positions everywhere and Riley is responsible for all positions anywhere. To lay the failure on Hughes for the DL is kind of disingenuous as we struck out on all three levels.

I agree to a point... But the reality is the players are coached by their position coaches and if they aren't feeling it there then they're not coming no matter what any other coaches say or do.

Whether you want to believe it or not, Hughes bears most of this responsibility.

 

[Archie Graham]

my understanding is each coach has an assigned area of the country and is responsible for all positions, the position coach is responsible for the positions everywhere and Riley is responsible for all positions anywhere. To lay the failure on Hughes for the DL is kind of disingenuous as we struck out on all three levels.

Obviously there is a chain of command; however, Riley identified the problem and made a swift change. We should all be able to agree that is a very good thing.

 

[TheBeav815]

Williams has run his flag up the flagpole so we can all see his true colors lately. No more hearing it through the grapevine. Dude is bitch-made and when things get hard for him, he finds somebody else to blame.

All you heard on him was if his motor ran like his mouth does he'd be all-conference. Well he just removed all doubt the last couple of days.

External. Locus. Of. Control. When the going gets tough, tell us how it's somebody else's fault.

JP came in and made it clear that bullshit walks. Look who's walking...

 

[HuskersMan34]

An NFL bust?? K Dub won't even sniff the NFL. LOL...JP played 4 years and retired for health reasons. Also a 1st round draft pick who gave his all and played with a bad back and neck in many games, won titles and AA honors. WTF did you do K Dub? Your legacy is telling reporters you're not a backup. When in fact you were. No more quitters on the D line. Time to nut up or shut up!! Good riddance.

Kevin Williams is going to be the face of the Bo Pelini regime to me. He and Kenny Bell. Love to talk, have very few accomplishments to back up all that talk.

 

[TheBeav815]

Kevin Williams is going to be the face of the Bo Pelini regime to me. He and Kenny Bell. Love to talk, have very few accomplishments to back up all that talk.

Much though I'm not a "Kenny Bell guy" at all, he has accomplishments. Solid career, and has spent some time in the NFL so far. I think in the next 4-6 years a couple guys will push his name further down the NU record books, but he was productive on the field.

Williams has done absolutely nothing on the field with any consistency to justify his opinion of himself.

 

[SilentCommit]

Agree. Pelini is definitely to blame for bad roster management and a negative culture. But the current staff blew several winnable games last year with questionable playcalling/clock management down the stretch.

Nobody forced Riley to take this job. One of the main reasons he took it was so that he didn't have to fire his good friends (Banker, Read, Cav, etc). So he should be held responsible for the results that they produce. Riley did not walk into a perfect situation, but most new coaches don't. In the end, we are a program with a ton of resources in a very weak division. We should never finish 1-5 in that division like we did last year.

NO.

 

[Kleitusbpn]

honestly, this is exactly the type of situation that parella has a chance to excel. no expectations. none. if we get run over all year not a soul will be surprised.

and not a soul who matters will blame him.

truth is, i'm glad williams decided to be an a$$ on his way out the door. it gives the twins and maurice a shot to just play. if they fail, they were handed a $hit sandwich of no depth. the twins will improve (and everyone pretty much universally knows it) and i think we've got another decent player in stoltenberg as well. i think the biggest wild card is freedom. if he steps up at DE, it'll take a ton of pressure off the tackles.

... but what if they don't fail. yeah they'll have bad plays but come on... 408 yards in a game rushing bad? i dont see it. or even close.

the guys that are left will be given every chance to succeed. take that chance and work and get better and by this time next year things could be looking WAY up. similar to linebacker before last year.

point being? we'll be alright for this year. nobody in their right mind expects us to make the playoffs regardless. a step forward would be nice, however.

 

[TheBeav815]

NO.

Remains to be seen. This is the same staff that won the last offseason in a blowout, too. They need to get it done from August - December, too. Year one is usually rough, this year needs to produce a big jump.

 

[SnohomishRed]

NO.

http://portlandtribune.com/pt/12-sp...g-decision-to-leave-oregon-state-bittersweet-
http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/or...f/2015/12/canzano_mike_riley_speaks_abou.html

Sorry the answer is Yes to his point and Riley has said as much

 

[Hoosker Du]

Kevin Williams is going to be the face of the Bo Pelini regime to me. He and Kenny Bell. Love to talk, have very few accomplishments to back up all that talk.

Isn't he #1 on the all-time receptions list? Kenny Bell doesn't bother me too much. Kids can talk a little crap if they performed on the field, which Kenny definitely did. Kevin Williams is a name you can barely remember based on his on the field accolades.

 

[leodisflowers]

Me, a voice of reason? Meh. We are not in a very good position for Nebraska football. Pelini did not leave us in good shape. Does that mean Mike Riley & Co get a free pass? Absolutely not. Does that mean it's all Mike Riley & Co's fault. Absolutely not.

Mike Riley will be in a position this year to do what no other coach has done at NU in the modern era of football, have back-to-back losing seasons. And unfortunately, that's a grim possibility.

Could be... I see things a little bit differently, but I definitely have rose colored glasses. I think this year could also setup to win 11 games. Hopefully we start getting some mojo back and the recruits continue to roll in.

 

[Hoosker Du]

honestly, this is exactly the type of situation that parella has a chance to excel. no expectations. none. if we get run over all year not a soul will be surprised.

and not a soul who matters will blame him.

truth is, i'm glad williams decided to be an a$$ on his way out the door. it gives the twins and maurice a shot to just play. if they fail, they were handed a $hit sandwich of no depth. the twins will improve (and everyone pretty much universally knows it) and i think we've got another decent player in stoltenberg as well. i think the biggest wild card is freedom. if he steps up at DE, it'll take a ton of pressure off the tackles.

... but what if they don't fail. yeah they'll have bad plays but come on... 408 yards in a game rushing bad? i dont see it. or even close.

the guys that are left will be given every chance to succeed. take that chance and work and get better and by this time next year things could be looking WAY up. similar to linebacker before last year.

point being? we'll be alright for this year. nobody in their right mind expects us to make the playoffs regardless. a step forward would be nice, however.

Banker may not sound like a genius, but he's smart enough to know that in a conference that is pretty well known for running the ball, you have to stop the run first, and he'll bring extra guys into the box to do so if our DLine isn't getting it done. Other coaches weren't smart enough to figure that out, and Melvin Gordon has a posh crib in San Diego as a result.