Here is a complete breakdown of everything Nebraska defensive coordinator Erik Chinander had to say on the weekly Huskers coaches radio show on Thursday night. The show runs from 7 to 8 pm.
Segment 1
Segment 1
- Practice was pretty good. They did some ones vs. one work today, but are shifting to Ohio State. Today was the first day of scout team work for Ohio State.
- Chinander said it was important to do a lot of ones vs. ones so the starters can get used to the speed they are going to see on Saturday's. That's as important as anything.
- Chinander said this has been different than a normal camp because they only got 20 hours per week, vs. unlimited time for three weeks in a normal camp over August.
- It's been great to have Mike Dawson back. Chinander and Dawson go back all the way to their time in the NFL.
- As for the OLB's under Dawson, that group has improved. Lots of fresh faces from HS or the JUCO ranks for him to break in and coach up.
- Caller One: Who are the most improved players on defense? Chinander said he's seen a lot of growth out of the first string unit. The defensive backs are kind of the anchor right now with all their experience having four starters coming back if you count Deontai Williams. Other guys they think will have big years are Caleb Tannor, as are Reimer, Honas and Miller at ILB. Upfront, it's a lot of new faces. Stille is looking to have a great year, as is Daniels. He said Ty Robinson, Thomas and Rogers all are set to have good years.
- In the secondary, the young DB's that could emerge are Newsome, Delancy and Lynum have played well...Farmer and Pola-Gates have also done a nice job so far. No mention on Joseph. Clark was doing a really nice job before his injury.
- On missing Deontai Williams: "You missed him a lot. He's a really good football player and a good guy to have in the program." Then when he was out, it caused them to play musical chairs with a lot of guys in the secondary.
- Cam Taylor-Britt is probably best at corner and in the slot at nickel.
- On the DL, Stille is the leader of that group and coaches up the young guys. Miller and Honas are good leaders at ILB. Miller is more vocal than Honas. Then in the back end, all those seniors have been great leaders.
- Text question: What positives have you seen from this COVID season? Chinander said he got to spend more time with family, which is a positive. They also had a lot more meeting time than normal. Also, Chinander felt like their guys all stayed in great shape and it gave them more time to concentrate on internships and other things they normally might not be able to do.
- How has Garrett Nelson done? He had shoulder surgery at the end of the year, but he's come along. He loves to play football and he loves Nebraska.
- More on Nelson: He's going to bring his energy level to everything he does.
- Text question on DL depth: The depth is really starting to show itself. Now they have to get ready and show they are ready to play in the Big Ten.
- Keem Green and Jordin Riley: Keem has made a lot of progress. He was a late qualifier, so he wasn't in great shape last year. He has an NFL type body now. Riley also has a big body and he's very hard to block. He's happy with both of them.
- With JUCO guys, Chinander thinks you really see a big jump in the second year.
- Rush defense: That's been a big emphasis and that wasn't where they want it to be. They put a big emphasis on run fits and stopping the run. This league is very challenging with all the different types of offenses.
- Payne and Cooper: I think you will see both of them in games. They are a work in progress. Payne got here a little bit later than Cooper. It's just a different level and they are doing a good job of trying to adapt.
- Domann: "I think JoJo is as good as he wants to be. I expect a big year from JoJo." He's made some big plays already and he has a lot more to give. They expect him to have a great year.
- Inside linebacker: Collin Miller and Will Honas really developed through the year last year. They were playing at a high level late in the year, and then Luke Reimer showed flashes last year. Heinrich has been playing both inside and outside and they think they will see a lot out of him too.
- You need at least three inside linebackers, and you would like a fourth. With Heinrich they have to decide if inside or outside is his best spot. They want him on the field.
- On DB depth and size: The starters are the same obviously, but they like the size they have added with the young guys.
- Guys were excited when the schedule came out and they are excited for the challenge.
- On the NCAA allowing an extra year: The extra year is definitely the right move. They still don't know though the scholarship piece with numbers and what they have to do.
- Daniels has really taken the right steps to be a dominant defensive lineman and has gotten his body in a better place.
- Last year was big to get Robinson and Rogers reps ins some bigger games against teams like Ohio State and Wisconsin to see what it's going take.
- Tomorrow will be another good on good practice with also some scout team work. Then Frost will really shift them into game week.
- He thinks the players have a good idea who is in the one and two groups. Lots of tight position battles still.
- On a targeting ejection guys don't have to leave the sideline anymore. Chinander is good with that, as most targeting penalties could happen to anybody and 10 years ago it wasn't called. It happens bang-bang and he likes not having to see guys being sent to the locker room.
- That's a wrap with Chinander.
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