Substance Only Please

[Archie Graham]

I've got a questions for anyone who really wants to talk football. To be clear, this is not a defense of some of the coaching mistakes we have seen; rather, it's an open conversation about what we have. Yes. We should have beaten BYU and Illinois. So with that said:

Last year we were not a very good team. Sure. We ended up winning nine games but that was on the backs of one Ameer Abdullah and Randy Gregory. So our best two players graduate, roster mismanagement rears it's head, and we have injuries at most of our thin positions (e.g.. LB). How many people took an honest look at the start of this year and thought we would have a good year? If you did think this what led you to believe this based on what I have posted in this thread? I've already noted we should be 4-1 right now but I'm not shocked that we are not. So for all the folks jumping off a ledge right now please explain your position.

 

[St. Anger]

Well, I agree with a lot of what you're saying. Over the Pelini era, he could never get the entire roster going at one given time. Sure, he had stars but it never came together during the same year.

Honestly, my biggest concern with the future is our recruiting class right now. First year coaches typically make a recruiting splash. We are absolutely not. So, things concern me in the present and the outlook isn't looking great either.

 

[Pennsyhusker]

My pessimism resides in the fact that what I saw in the Illinois game was a very stubborn offensive coaching staff who seem hell-bent, ala Callahan, on passing the football no matter what. If we run the ball more against illinois we win. Why the coaches could not see that is beyond me. I think it shows what the future of our offense is going to be. We better hope it is not wet and windy in Lincoln this Saturday, because these clowns are going to throw the ball and ignore the run.

 

[Archie Graham]

Well, I agree with a lot of what you're saying. Over the Pelini era, he could never get the entire roster going at one given time. Sure, he had stars but it never came together during the same year.

Honestly, my biggest concern with the future is our recruiting class right now. First year coaches typically make a recruiting splash. We are absolutely not. So, things concern me in the present and the outlook isn't looking great either.

Are you unhappy with who we have committed or what we don't have committed? I can understand having concerns about spots we have yet to fill but I'm very happy with the list we have committed right now.

 

[St. Anger]

Are you unhappy with who we have committed or what we don't have committed? I can understand having concerns about spots we have yet to fill but I'm very happy with the list we have committed right now.

We just know, actually know at this point in time, that recruiting rankings matter. What are we sitting at just in the B1G right now? 9th or 10th?

 

[Archie Graham]

My pessimism resides in the fact that what I saw in the Illinois game was a very stubborn offensive coaching staff who seem hell-bent, ala Callahan, on passing the football no matter what. If we run the ball more against illinois we win. Why the coaches could not see that is beyond me. I think it shows what the future of our offense is going to be. We better hope it is not wet and windy in Lincoln this Saturday, because these clowns are going to throw the ball and ignore the run.

I think this is probably true; however, I don't have a massive problem with what the offensive staff has done this year. We could run the ball a little more but we also have to install the scheme that is the plan for the future. The reality is that there are going to be bumps until we get some guys on campus that fit the future of the offense.

 

[janne]

Since you said the start of the year:

1) Very athletic dual threat QB with another year of experience under his belt and excellent WR's.
2) Plenty of highly regarded RB's. Maybe not any equal to AA, but more than competent.
3) Best or at least one of the best DL in the B1G.
4) Solid, experienced secondary.
5) Best return man in the B1G.
6) Excellent punter and solid talent at kicker.
7) Experienced, professional coaching staff that would change culture and teach fundamentals.

 

[Archie Graham]

We just know, actually know at this point in time, that recruiting rankings matter. What are we sitting at just in the B1G right now? 9th or 10th?

Absolutely they do. But what are you unhappy about other than the ranking itself? If we lock down a few more solid players we will see a very large jump in team rankings. I'd also imagine we will target some JUCO guys here shortly as well.

 

[Archie Graham]

Since you said the start of the year:

1) Very athletic dual threat QB with another year of experience under his belt and excellent WR's.
2) Plenty of highly regarded RB's. Maybe not any equal to AA, but more than competent.
3) Best or at least one of the best DL in the B1G.
4) Solid, experienced secondary.
5) Best return man in the B1G.
6) Excellent punter and solid talent at kicker.
7) Experienced, professional coaching staff that would change culture and teach fundamentals.

Ok. Well how about we put some of that in context ca. the end of fall camp.

 

[St. Anger]

Absolutely they do. But what are you unhappy about other than the ranking itself? If we lock down a few more solid players we will see a very large jump in team rankings. I'd also imagine we will target some JUCO guys here shortly as well.

Should be so much higher, especially with a first year coach. Here's a list, off the top of my head, of programs that started pulling top 5-10 classes with their new hire:

Al Golden at Miami
Brady Hoke at Michigan
James Franklin at Penn State
Brian Kelly at Notre Dame

We haven't sniffed a top 10 class in years. Riley won't this season and this is the season to do just that.

 

[otismotis08]

Well, I agree with a lot of what you're saying. Over the Pelini era, he could never get the entire roster going at one given time. Sure, he had stars but it never came together during the same year.

Honestly, my biggest concern with the future is our recruiting class right now. First year coaches typically make a recruiting splash. We are absolutely not. So, things concern me in the present and the outlook isn't looking great either.

Exactly. No splash. We're currently sitting at #40.

 

[Archie Graham]

Should be so much higher, especially with a first year coach. Here's a list, off the top of my head, of programs that started pulling top 5-10 classes with their new hire:

Al Golden at Miami
Brady Hoke at Michigan
James Franklin at Penn State
Brian Kelly at Notre Dame

We haven't sniffed a top 10 class in years. Riley won't this season and this is the season to do just that.

I think it should be higher but it's still October. I'd be worried if our staff appeared to be unorganized; however, that doesn't appear to be the case at all. These guys are going to toss out a bunch of crap offers in January and see what sticks. We will obviously have to see what happens but 2017 looks like it could be the 'splash' class (as you've defined it).

 

[St. Anger]

I think it should be higher but it's still October. I'd be worried if our staff appeared to be unorganized; however, that doesn't appear to be the case at all. We will obviously have to see what happens but 2017 looks like it could be the 'splash' class (as you've defined it).

I don't think we crack the top 25.

 

[Captain Nick]

Bad fundamentals, mental mistakes, unprepared team, poor game management, no chemistry, stubborn play calling and worst of all no passion and heart. Nothing in MR's history gives me any hope that he can be any better than an average coach. And he's not getting any younger so a long term rebuild probably isn't in the cards.

The question I have is what could anybody see that could possibly give you hope? You can only blame BP so much. These kids want to win and get better. Has any player improved since last year? The lack of development is on the current regime.

 

[Archie Graham]

Bad fundamentals, mental mistakes, unprepared team, poor game management, no chemistry, stubborn play calling and worst of all no passion and heart. Nothing in MR's history gives me any hope that he can be any better than an average coach. And he's not getting any younger so a long term rebuild probably isn't in the cards.

The question I have is what could anybody see that could possibly give you hope? You can only blame BP so much. These kids want to win and get better. Has any player improved since last year? The lack of development is on the current regime.

I'm trying to understand what you personally saw last year and what you thought that was going to translate in this year with a brand new coaching staff (- Ameer/Randy).

I'd be happy to answer your question at some point in this thread but for now I want to see what people think about my original question.

 

[suhnami]

I don't think we crack the top 25.

Well, then we'll be used to this class.

 

[suhnami]

Bad fundamentals, mental mistakes, unprepared team, poor game management, no chemistry, stubborn play calling and worst of all no passion and heart.

These are the things that are killing us. Easily worth 2 wins if this was cleaned up. And that is 100% on Riley.

 

[litespeedhuskerfan]

I knew we would struggle this year because we lost our best players on both sides of the ball and implemented a new system with a QB who isn't good and scares nobody. But this has been even worse than I thought and it's really difficult to find the silver lining at this point. Reading this thread didn't make me feel any better.

 

[timnsun]

Bad fundamentals, mental mistakes, unprepared team, poor game management, no chemistry, stubborn play calling and worst of all no passion and heart. Nothing in MR's history gives me any hope that he can be any better than an average coach. And he's not getting any younger so a long term rebuild probably isn't in the cards.

The question I have is what could anybody see that could possibly give you hope? You can only blame BP so much. These kids want to win and get better. Has any player improved since last year? The lack of development is on the current regime.

The Illinois game notwithstanding, I would say Tommy has improved greatly. Was the Illinois game an aberration or will it be the norm? We will see...

To answer the OP's question, I just thought our talent was deeper. I didn't know about the gaps on defense until this fall, and the injuries have killed us most in places where our depth was shallowest. That's a bad recipe. I know every team deals with injuries, but it sure seems like our defense keeps on taking the hits...

Minnesota has been riddled on the Oline and it clearly shows on the field. The only place injuries don't hurt as much is in your elite programs, which we are not.

 

[SnohomishRed]

I've got a questions for anyone who really wants to talk football. To be clear, this is not a defense of some of the coaching mistakes we have seen; rather, it's an open conversation about what we have. Yes. We should have beaten BYU and Illinois. So with that said:

Last year we were not a very good team. Sure. We ended up winning nine games but that was on the backs of one Ameer Abdullah and Randy Gregory. So our best two players graduate, roster mismanagement rears it's head, and we have injuries at most of our thin positions (e.g.. LB). How many people took an honest look at the start of this year and thought we would have a good year? If you did think this what led you to believe this based on what I have posted in this thread? I've already noted we should be 4-1 right now but I'm not shocked that we are not. So for all the folks jumping off a ledge right now please explain your position.

The issue is not our current record but how these games were lost

BYU - pass defense horrible and even if we had Gregory back it would not have been any different - The end play was a coaching mistake in not getting the secondary to play prevent correctly - We lost due to coaching error

Miami - The team was not ready to play right from the start - Miami starts the game picking on the same player that BYU picked on yet our DC gives him no over the top help - He adjusts at half by which time the damage is done - the game plan in offense is to chuck it all over the field when Miami has demonstrated they can not stop the run - we come back and have a chance to win - but again our OC gets pass happy and TA throws an INT - I would say this loss is also on the staff

Ill - no question about it this loss is on the staff - not only the end of the game both the third down but not vcoaching our secondary to keep the ball in front of them when the only way Ill can win is to complete a deep pass - terrible coaching on numerous issues
Yes we do not have Amer or Gregory - but the issue is our current record - and a major reason for it is coaching mistakes

 

[NikkiSixx]

I'm of the other variety. I predicted 7-5, and didn't understand how people could be thinking 9, 10, or 11 wins.

Here is the thing.. Riley should be running his offense, what he is used to running, his system. He lacks the players to do that, so we are running some hybrid type thing.

Problem is, he has to win now. Not in 4 years or whatever.

What I think Mike should have done is run his system with the best players that suit those positions. Even if it means sitting some guys that would not be popular.

I'm surprised Tommy is the starter, I honestly figured Fyfe would have taken over by now.

We do see some remnants of his thinking, having Newby be the starter because he is a good pass blocker, but again, it's a hodge podge situation.

Mike should be playing the new guys, his recruits, and other players that fit his system. He should be telling recruits that they have a chance to start right away.

Is that fair to the current players? Probably not, but If I'm in that situation and I have to win right away, I'm going to run my system with the best players that fit my system and recruit kids to come in and start.

Now would this be popular with the fan base? Nope.. but if you produce results and win, then some of that is forgiven, and a guy has a honeymoon period where you can clean house and get away with it.

Now my personal opinion is that Mike is going to fail here. But I think he could have been successful if he would have started in from day 1 with his system and not some smorgasbord of an offense.

Defensively, I think Mike has a bigger hand in that cookie jar than we are led to believe. He hired Banker due to his loyalty, not because he believes Banker is a top shelf D Coordinator. Banker does what Riley tells him to do and that is why Riley brought him here.

If Mike really had a winning mentality, we would see those results. Mike does not.. this is just a short stint coaching job for him so he can add a little variety later in his coaching life.. to me, I am starting to think he's a selfish kind of guy.

Mike is not at all concerned about the Nebraska fan, the program history, the tradition, or any of that kind of stuff. We are just a feather to put in his cap when he hangs up the clipboard.

 

[leodisflowers]

I'm of the other variety. I predicted 7-5, and didn't understand how people could be thinking 9, 10, or 11 wins.

Here is the thing.. Riley should be running his offense, what he is used to running, his system. He lacks the players to do that, so we are running some hybrid type thing.

Problem is, he has to win now. Not in 4 years or whatever.

What I think Mike should have done is run his system with the best players that suit those positions. Even if it means sitting some guys that would not be popular.

I'm surprised Tommy is the starter, I honestly figured Fyfe would have taken over by now.

We do see some remnants of his thinking, having Newby be the starter because he is a good pass blocker, but again, it's a hodge podge situation.

Mike should be playing the new guys, his recruits, and other players that fit his system. He should be telling recruits that they have a chance to start right away.

Is that fair to the current players? Probably not, but If I'm in that situation and I have to win right away, I'm going to run my system with the best players that fit my system and recruit kids to come in and start.

Now would this be popular with the fan base? Nope.. but if you produce results and win, then some of that is forgiven, and a guy has a honeymoon period where you can clean house and get away with it.

Now my personal opinion is that Mike is going to fail here. But I think he could have been successful if he would have started in from day 1 with his system and not some smorgasbord of an offense.

Defensively, I think Mike has a bigger hand in that cookie jar than we are led to believe. He hired Banker due to his loyalty, not because he believes Banker is a top shelf D Coordinator. Banker does what Riley tells him to do and that is why Riley brought him here.

If Mike really had a winning mentality, we would see those results. Mike does not.. this is just a short stint coaching job for him so he can add a little variety later in his coaching life.. to me, I am starting to think he's a selfish kind of guy.

Mike is not at all concerned about the Nebraska fan, the program history, the tradition, or any of that kind of stuff. We are just a feather to put in his cap when he hangs up the clipboard.

Pretty good stuff. The only thing I disagree with is Ryker. The only reason Husker nation loves this guy is he is a NE kid. He is not good, and TA is head and shoulders better than him. I hope we don't see Ryker ever!!! Otherwise, I agree.

 

[otismotis08]

No lightning-rod recruiter, no changes on the field. It's that simple.

 

[Archie Graham]

The issue is not our current record but how these games were lost

BYU - pass defense horrible and even if we had Gregory back it would not have been any different - The end play was a coaching mistake in not getting the secondary to play prevent correctly - We lost due to coaching error

Miami - The team was not ready to play right from the start - Miami starts the game picking on the same player that BYU picked on yet our DC gives him no over the top help - He adjusts at half by which time the damage is done - the game plan in offense is to chuck it all over the field when Miami has demonstrated they can not stop the run - we come back and have a chance to win - but again our OC gets pass happy and TA throws an INT - I would say this loss is also on the staff

Ill - no question about it this loss is on the staff - not only the end of the game both the third down but not vcoaching our secondary to keep the ball in front of them when the only way Ill can win is to complete a deep pass - terrible coaching on numerous issues
Yes we do not have Amer or Gregory - but the issue is our current record - and a major reason for it is coaching mistakes

I can't really disagree with much here but the board appears to think all hell is breaking loose because we have had a couple critical mistakes during a transition year. That seems like huge stretch to me considering that the margin for error is so small (given the quality of the roster and the unfortunate injuries).

 

[Archie Graham]

No lightning-rod recruiter, no changes on the field. It's that simple.

Both Bray and Williams are legit. Haven't seen anyone disagree with that.

 

[huskerbr12]

How many people took an honest look at the start of this year and thought we would have a good year?
I'm one of them.

If you did think this what led you to believe this based on what I have posted in this thread?
Based on the schedule, returning talent, and the fresh air of a new coach, I thought this was a team that could go 10-2 and compete for the west title. I was not expecting clock management problems, excessive penalties, and a defense that would be last in the nation in defending the pass. I was not expecting those issues because I thought the new staff would be detail oriented and not be the reason the team loses a game (Sam's article today today explains exactly what I mean - link below).

I'm not ready to jump off the ledge. Saturday left me feeling like the season had become a waste, not so much now. If they don't win the west, they can still create a foundation and build off it next year.

The foundation has to be improvement in basics, including removing the self-inflicted clock management mistakes, drive killing penalties, defending big plays on defense and creating them on offense. The foundation is seeing the staff recruit their tails off. They're currently ranked 12th in the B1G, not good enough. They're also in on several highly ranked, solid prospects. Get them committed, get them signed.

Last thought,
There is not a team left on the schedule that they can't play with and beat. There is enough talent on the roster to win the rest of the games.
This team is also capable of losing the rest of their games. Allowing teams to stick around without blowing them out when you have a chance (So Miss), clock management problems (Ill and BYU), and coming out flat (Miami, Ill) will lead to an ugly offseason.

http://www.omaha.com/huskers/mckewo...cle_767a20e3-d46f-586d-9b77-f7ef15bd3b3f.html