Raridon at center, Wilson at guard

[Dean Pope]

Considering that we started 3 walk ons a good share of the season last year, I think your argument doesn't hold water. IF you can't motivate yourself to try to earn the playing time then maybe you shouldn't be there.

The great ones motivate their players and have a culture that creates competition.

Short term view- Better execution with five guys cemented in the lineup. Yes, in theory.
Long term view- Working with two units in practice, at least putting in a back up here and there when up three TDs in the 4th quarter, and keeping things competitive in practice means better talent development.

Anyone else grow weary of reading in the spring about quotes from players who have renewed motivation and trying to improve practice habits?

 

[blfarmer73]

First off, calling someone a "dumb ass" and following it up with 4th grade grammar errors throughout their response says more about you than me.

Brian, you shouldn't call any fan a dumbass but if that's what you want to do, it's up to you. I won't back down from my stance and who I've heard what from. I have a very long history on here, one with tremendous accuracy. I also called a spade a spade with your son when he had a shitty attitude only to turn it around where he was given props for doing so. Matter of fact, you even posted in that thread on RSS backing up what I already stated.

Funny thing about you calling me a dumbass, then turn around and agree with me about 4 of 5 of the OL positions with your son the one I question. Decker doesn't have a work ethic issue, he's battled severe issues upstairs which has nothing to do with "putting in work". If you're gonna come at me, have your t's crossed and i's dotted.

You "don't know how things will work" but earlier said Tanner "WILL" start. This "dumb ass" finds that hilarious.

First of all I did not call you a "dumb ass". I said " I know I shouldn't feed the dumb ass".. You responded. I also said, "barring something unforeseen, Tanner WILL be the starter" I stand by that. You can pump who you please. As far as your as your "very long history on here, with tremendous accuracy". Ok. If you say so. As far as agreeing with you on 4 of 5 lineman? I gave my personal opinions based off of what I have personally seen and the interactions and talks I personally have had with the people I mention. As far as Tanners history? I have not been shy about what Tanner has done in the past and what he needed to do to correct it. He has corrected those things and moved on. Some others? Apparently not. As far as Mr. Decker is concerned. He is one of Tanners roommates. I talk to him three or four times a week. You be the judge.
If you want to call yourself a "dumb ass", who am I to argue. Sorry I do not break my responses down into paragraphs for you. I didn't make it past the 4th grade, so please be patient.

If you do not agree that Tanner will be the starter, fine. I will stand by what I said also. "barring something unforeseen, Tanner WILL be the starter" I also stand by my statement that "nobody will outwork Tanner. He shows that everyday by what he does".

I do not know how things will work out, that is for sure. If you do, Well good for you. Good luck with that. Until then, I believe from what I have seen we will be better next year in a lot of areas. I hope I'm right. GBR

 

[Pennsyhusker]

I really don't care who starts next year. There are several guys with potential, but the eyeball test tells me that they all need to spend the offseason in S&C. Spend quality time with Boyd. Become gym rats. Rebuilding the pipeline starts from within. Then come ready to work on their skills and technique in the spring.

This. What is needed is TOTAL dedication to every detail of what needs to be done to raise the line's play to an elite level.

And despite the harsh words exchanged in the argument above and the generally argumentative tone... it was an informative exchange. For those of us who are not in any way privy to some elements of the program these little tidbits are helpful.

We need all contenders on the line, no matter who they are, to have their heads on straight and to have a 100% motor going at all times. Anything less than full "buy-in" should be met with immediate demotion to the scout team or worse. The Pelini cancer is gone. That toxin (which was real) is no longer a factor on this team. From here on out any slacking of effort or attitude by anyone on this line is on this staff.

Big year for coach Cav. Hopefully the line stays healthier this year so we can all get a sense of what Cav can accomplish.

 

[Hoosker Du]

Are you saying that Pro Football Focus and NFL Draft Scout are not legitimate sources of talent assessment? If so, I am going to "bookmark" your post for future reference. I'm kidding. I won't actually do that since I am not a child.

OK, so I laughed. People just need to calm down. We all want all of our guys to do well under Cav and become a dominant OLine.

 

[headcard]

I think Farmer and Gates were in the same boat last year. Both played terrific early in the year and then suffered nagging ankle injuries. Due to our lack of depth, even injured, they were still better than their backups, so they gutted it out. The injuries obviously effected their performance, but many of our fans have chose to focus on their poor play while injured, instead of their good play while healthy (which for Gates was 1.5 years).

 

[Red I 73]

It has been over ten years, unless I am forgetting somebody. The center position has been a real weak spot for a very long time.

It seemed to me the center position has been occupied by the smallest, "smartest" member of the OL, or the guy that was most closely related to the head coach. Seems the interior of our OL got dominated a lot the past ten years.

 

[coachDubs]

First of all I did not call you a "dumb ass". I said " I know I shouldn't feed the dumb ass".. You responded. I also said, "barring something unforeseen, Tanner WILL be the starter" I stand by that. You can pump who you please. As far as your as your "very long history on here, with tremendous accuracy". Ok. If you say so. As far as agreeing with you on 4 of 5 lineman? I gave my personal opinions based off of what I have personally seen and the interactions and talks I personally have had with the people I mention. As far as Tanners history? I have not been shy about what Tanner has done in the past and what he needed to do to correct it. He has corrected those things and moved on. Some others? Apparently not. As far as Mr. Decker is concerned. He is one of Tanners roommates. I talk to him three or four times a week. You be the judge.
If you want to call yourself a "dumb ass", who am I to argue. Sorry I do not break my responses down into paragraphs for you. I didn't make it past the 4th grade, so please be patient.

If you do not agree that Tanner will be the starter, fine. I will stand by what I said also. "barring something unforeseen, Tanner WILL be the starter" I also stand by my statement that "nobody will outwork Tanner. He shows that everyday by what he does".

I do not know how things will work out, that is for sure. If you do, Well good for you. Good luck with that. Until then, I believe from what I have seen we will be better next year in a lot of areas. I hope I'm right. GBR

You quoted my response and said what you did. That's calling someone a "dumb ass", no matter how you want to spin it. I'm not pumping anyone, but I do believe Wilson will give Tanner a run for his money. There is absolutely nothing wrong with saying as much. Also, there is absolutely nothing wrong with saying Tanner struggled to get to the second level last season. I don't need to be the judge, I know the two are roommates which is why it was odd for you to say what you did about Decker on page one. His opportunity has nothing to do with putting in the time, but first and foremost, everything to do with correcting himself upstairs.

I don't know if Tanner will start or not hence why I posted Farmer/Wilson. I've never questioned his work ethic, or attitude towards the new staff, since your post on RSS a year ago agreeing with what I stated.

Heck no I don't know what will happen as far as starters, fall camp is 6 months away and the season is 7 months away. I am excited, for the first time in a long time, there are enough linemen for an actual competition this spring, summer and fall. If Tanner comes out the starter, great. If Tanner comes out the back-up, great.

It matters none to me who the starter is, which you can't say the same.

I'll continue the discussion, no need to sit out.

 

[headcard]

Nice to see we are finally adding depth now it's Coach Cav's job is to developed the depth, I haven't been as impressed with Coach Cav's devolpoment of the offensive tackle position other than Gates we have been brutal at that spot.

Be interesting to see how the young redshirt Freshman contribute with the veterans we have coming back.
Love having Raridon playing center been a while since we have had a difference maker at center in quite some time.

Probably have to go all the way back to Hickman (2009) to find a really good Center, but even he battled alot of injuries. To find a true "difference maker" you might have to go all the way back to Raiola (2001).

 

[inWV]

At the very least, the center in 2017 will be a more athletic individual. That, combined with four other guys with starter experience and better depth behind them, should lead to better line play. Will be needed, as we won't have Tommy's legs to bail us out. But then again, we won't have Tommy's shaky decision making either.

 

[coachDubs]

If Cav believed in playing more than five guys in a season barring injury, then we would see a huge increase in motivation for those who aren't the chosen ones.

Milt Tenopir (RIP), GOAT, had this to say...

"We did it the same way (as Cavanaugh)," Tenopir said. "We just got ahead in so many games where we had the luxury of playing other kids."

But go watch the 1995 Orange Bowl against Miami, he tells you. "We didn't sub in that baby. We played those five guys the whole length of that ballgame." If it's a tight game, when it comes to your top group, "you better leave their butts in there."

With so many close games a year ago, the luxury Tenopir mentions was not something afforded Cavanaugh. If you think of Nebraska's 2015 season, South Alabama was really the lone game where the lead heading into the fourth quarter was comfortable for the Huskers. (If you bring up the Minnesota game, that was an uneasy 13-point Nebraska lead until the Huskers tacked on 10 points within the game's last 3:06.)

"I remember in '97, we went through almost that entire year with six players, and luckily didn't get anyone hurt or banged up," said Tenopir, sharp as can be in naming off his former players. "Matt Hoskinson was our swing guy. And then later in the year, Adam Julch came along, I rolled him in there a little bit."

But he relied mostly on his top five: Fred Pollack and Eric Anderson at the tackles, Jon Zatechza and Aaron Taylor at the guards, and Josh Heskew at center. Those starters, to Tenopir's recollection, played at least 90 percent of most every game.

"We've always tried to play the best five," Tenopir said. "You don't put kids in just to worry about next year."

http://journalstar.com/sports/huske...cle_ec725a06-1e26-11e6-bbab-fb792ec9d57b.html

 

[inWV]

As long as the game is in doubt, the best players will play.

 

[Dean Pope]

Milt Tenopir (RIP), GOAT, had this to say...

"We did it the same way (as Cavanaugh)," Tenopir said. "We just got ahead in so many games where we had the luxury of playing other kids."

But go watch the 1995 Orange Bowl against Miami, he tells you. "We didn't sub in that baby. We played those five guys the whole length of that ballgame." If it's a tight game, when it comes to your top group, "you better leave their butts in there."

With so many close games a year ago, the luxury Tenopir mentions was not something afforded Cavanaugh. If you think of Nebraska's 2015 season, South Alabama was really the lone game where the lead heading into the fourth quarter was comfortable for the Huskers. (If you bring up the Minnesota game, that was an uneasy 13-point Nebraska lead until the Huskers tacked on 10 points within the game's last 3:06.)

"I remember in '97, we went through almost that entire year with six players, and luckily didn't get anyone hurt or banged up," said Tenopir, sharp as can be in naming off his former players. "Matt Hoskinson was our swing guy. And then later in the year, Adam Julch came along, I rolled him in there a little bit."

But he relied mostly on his top five: Fred Pollack and Eric Anderson at the tackles, Jon Zatechza and Aaron Taylor at the guards, and Josh Heskew at center. Those starters, to Tenopir's recollection, played at least 90 percent of most every game.

"We've always tried to play the best five," Tenopir said. "You don't put kids in just to worry about next year."

http://journalstar.com/sports/huske...cle_ec725a06-1e26-11e6-bbab-fb792ec9d57b.html

Yep exactly, obviously he didn't sub much during the national championship game and the one year they only played six instead of the usual seven. He didn't mention that subs got a lot more practice reps.

 

[coachDubs]

Yep exactly, obviously he didn't sub much during the national championship game and the one year they only played six instead of the usual seven. He didn't mention that subs got a lot more practice reps.

He spoke of other games too. Unless the game was a blowout, which did happen a lot, he didn't sub. Period. Go watch the Turman/Berringer Kansas State game and report back how many OL played.

Subs, as in top back-ups, do get plenty of practice reps. I've seen it with my own eyes. This whole idea that they stand around holding their private parts at practices is absurd.

 

[inWV]

This isn't a track invite where you can sub a kid in a relay or move a kid up a distance for a workout. Every game counts. You play your best.

 

[dckchusker]

I have no issue with playing your best five. What people forget about the pipeline days is this: backups got tons of playing time because there were so many blowouts. It is a myth that Tenopir was constantly rotating guys in and out. Go back and watch our classic games against really good teams. The ones where the game was close or we lost. You will see the same five guys in there for almost the whole game. Our final two drives against Miami in the 95 Orange Bowl certainly did not have our backups in.

It is not a myth, and you can check out the games on YouTube. '91 NU vs CU in zero temp conditions, NU alternated centers #51 & #53. '91 NU vs OU in a freezing rain, they alternated the same two guys at center, plus a walk-on named Zyzda subbed a couple times for Will Shields of all people. In '94 Graham and Humphrey alternated at Center in both the CU and Miami games. Dishman subbed for Zatechka for a few plays and got steamrolled by Warren Sapp. Tenopir subbed regularly. It was part of the wear 'em down strategy. I posted this several months ago, and someday when I have more time, I'll look these up again.

Guys are going to support the current coach. I am convinced that if there is one coaching strategy that has to change, it's Cav's Fab Five approach. You simply are not going to get through a 12-game, Big Ten schedule without injuries. Cav might as well accept that he is going to have to play 8-10 guys whether he wants to or not.

 

[inWV]

Maybe Cav gets to play some subs for snaps this year. I would imagine if there was a year where youth would have played, it was last year. I have to think they were simply not ready. How else would you play guys that were gimped up ankles that much.

 

[coachDubs]

Hmmmmmmmm.....

 

[GeauxBigRed]

Hmmmmmmmm.....

View embedded media

That speaks good things for us rather than bad in my opinion. If both Conrad and Farmer are still being challenged, that tells me Raridon and Wilson are progressing nicely.

 

[nebcountry]

Hmmmmmmmm.....

View embedded media

Nice organization skills. Not a slam either. You said you would bring this topic up again.

 

[coachDubs]

That speaks good things for us rather than bad in my opinion. If both Conrad and Farmer are still being challenged, that tells me Raridon and Wilson are progressing nicely.

Absolutely it does, you'll need to read the thread for some context though.

Nice organization skills. Not a slam either. You said you would bring this topic up again.

It's good to have quality depth, let's see what Cav can do with it.

 

[zamzman]

That speaks good things for us rather than bad in my opinion. If both Conrad and Farmer are still being challenged, that tells me Raridon and Wilson are progressing nicely.

Pretty sure Decker is the one challenging Conrad at center. But I've heard good things about Raridon too.

 

[HuskerLLM]

That speaks good things for us rather than bad in my opinion. If both Conrad and Farmer are still being challenged, that tells me Raridon and Wilson are progressing nicely.

Rairdon is at LG, Decker is at C

 

[hexumhawk]

I love Iowa's oline this year but REALLY wish we would have gotten Rairdon to IC. You guys got a good one there!

 

[Red I 73]

Rairdon is at LG, Decker is at C

Wilson is swinging between both guard positions. Riodan has been mainly behind Foster, but Wilson will probably be the first one in if Foster or Farmer go down

 

[huskerfan830]

Sounds like Farmer is the starter per recent interview with Cav.

 

[GeauxBigRed]

I love Iowa's oline this year but REALLY wish we would have gotten Rairdon to IC. You guys got a good one there!

Farniok was a good pull that call as well. Just gotta coach them up now.

 

[suhnami]

Read a twitter report from guy at practice said Conrad has center locked down.

 

[TwinsRRUs]

The interview with Cav today helped get a better view of the OL.

Farmer is the starting RG. If Foster goes down with an injury, Farmer will move to LG and Wilson will be the RG.

Farniok has been working at LG as well.

LG: Foster, Farmer, Farniok/Raridon?
C: Conrad, Decker
RG: Farmer, Wilson