I waited till this evening to review the game and post this.

[Doc Holiday]

Mostly because we had a client fly in today and I had to get them set up for tomorrow but also to be able to chill myself and wait to see what your reactions were to yet ANOTHER CLOSE LOSS WE SHOULD HAVE WON, AND HAD PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITIES TO WIN.

Thing I hate the most is I gotta put up with all the B.S. from their fans for still another year....and honestly I'm getting damned sick of it.

The one bright spot for me was the Defensive Effort from the Blackshirts....they gave us several chances in the 2nd half to have put this thing away and our offensive inability to do the little things cost us....same story different day. I heard Frost in his post game and from his look and the way he spoke he is still just as stubborn as ever and seems bound and determined to ride his wounded Duck Scheme right into the ground.
If he wants to win either or both of the last 2 vs Perdue and Minnesota....he better change things up as far as his play calling....were becoming predictable to other teams and that's bad for us.
It's obvious we need more consistency from the Center spot....I feel for Jurgens too but he shouldn't snap another football this season....don't sit him though move him around some and use his athletic ability and size someplace.....again mix things up.

God how we miss a healthy Dedrick Mills !
I love Wandale Robinson and wish we had guys like him in lots of positions, wouldn't he be great at the old Wingback spot ?....we can't ask him to run the ball too much because he is a tough lil dude but he doesn't need to get hammered like he did a couple of times today. We need guys who are 6' + tall and weigh in the 225-250 lb range and are true every down Running Backs.....we need game changing players with speed to run the rock....as of yet....I ain't seen any of our backs that can change the outcome of a game....these guys gotta be fast and tough.....these kinds of guys are out there to be had.....we have to go recruit some starting now for 2021-2022....trust me I played with a few of the very best and 2 that I consider in the top 2 of 5 best ever at Nebraska.

There is a lot of youth on this team and a couple of Sr. Hold overs from the Riley era and I heard Frost kinda of point that direction in the no discipline part of an answer but he was very careful how he worded his remark but obviously there is a problem someplace....

The one silver lining has been Coach Chin's Defense....its getting better (save for the Illinois game) every week and if he can keep his guys locked in and firing on all 8 cylinders....were gonna be really good in the future as long as we can keep feeding him talented guys.....and keep him from going elsewhere....we have the chance like we have not had since Coach McBride was here....Coach Mac really likes Coach Chin's and how he has honored tradition and is on his way to having a true BLACKSHIRT DEFENSE.

Frost mentioned the Unity Council and how the enforcers handled it when guys started to stray from doing the little things right.....how the enforcers handled it and it never had the chance to get to Coach Osborne.....I guess Frost expects the Unity Council to just all of a sudden show up....well that's not how it went the Staff and Players built the council together and it was 95% run by the Leadership Group....most of them were Seniors but also a good mix of Jr. Players to take over once the Seniors graduated.
That way ther was no void in consistency.

We really need to find guys who can get deep and then trust them enough to get open and throw them the ball....without that threat it's Perdy easy to put the binders on the wounded Duck.

Just a couple of my little observations....and also maybe some food for thought ....did I say how much I miss a healthy Dedrick Mills ?......

DOC HOLIDAY.

 

[SUHnami]

Thanks for the breakdown DOC.

 

[MadRat]

I appreciate your insights. Tom Osborne had some solid ideas about fraternity and using every tool available within the rules. And I also appreciated his talks about being honest to players by giving them truthful feedback.

At this point we really need guys to step up. But a coach also has to nudge guys by putting them in when they are on the cusp of being ready to find out what they are made of, but not leaning on them too soon. Guys like Reimer at ILB just are not ready for every down yet we rely on them at the moment. Running Wandale so much is another example of too much too soon. Putting guys in bad spots is not a good look and I wish some of this staff would figure that out.

I appreciate the rotation going on at DL, TE, and in the DB group. They are building depth. Even the RB and OL groups are getting more depth. Sadly it didn't happen sooner but its water under the bridge right now. But that attitude would have kept a Jaylen Bradley big back around. We would have probably kept A.J. Forbes and Wegener. In some ways, throwing Wandale in too much made Speilman leave and he would have been nice to keep.

Our coaches in other ways are stuck in failure mode. When obvious breakdowns occur, like Daniels turning his back - taking himself out of his responsibility at DL - needs instant feedback. Honas pursues weakly and poorly comes down the heel line with too much depth. Stille plays hand technique for run plays on obvious pass situations. DL don't shuck their guys on their heads, leaving too many active OL in a play. (Yes, winning hand position allows you to dump guys on their head if you use their momentum and your lift/twist correctly!) Receivers continue on routes to never never land and never comeback into obvious holes. QBs hold the ball for losses when they can ditch it because they muddle decisions. (QBs right now are failing to throw timed routes that are open, but that seems to be a systemic problem, which is another topic.) Just so many things to fix.

 

[kmillz]

If we can just shore up the 3rd and 4th down defense...….

 

[MadRat]

3rd and Chin are a hot mess.

 

[justino52]

When I look at the coaching leadership on this team, I see three areas where Nebraska has problems. The offensive line, the running game and in n essence the running backs, and the overall offense management/direction.
And I look at the coaches of all those and they are former Huskers, former Huskers from the championship years or tied to the last coaches from the championship years.
It's almost as if they do not want to replicate how Nebraska got to those most recent glory years. It's like no, we can do it on our own and don't need any of that old fashioned, old school stuff.
I don't know, when Cornhuskers don't want to do it the Cornhusker way, then I'm not sure its going to work on the offensive side.
And based on what I see, read, hear and know about Scott Frost, its his ego and stubbornness that is going to hold his teams back from being anything more that what we've seen in 3 years.

 

[MRJFB]

Several things to comment on the OP's post.
100% do not let Jurgens snap another ball. Move him to guard. He is probably our best pure blocker. I know he hadn't been playing guard, but then again, neither has some of our guards.

The black shirts, while still battling some weaknesses, at times played really physical ball. We need to find a way to move some of that in our opponents backfield. Look at how thet pressured our qbs vs how we 'pressured' theirs.

Wandale had his best game. I say thay because he did what he did with minimal help. Given a capable offensive line yesterday and he might have been the national offensive player of the week. Could have had a monster game...if.

 

[MadRat]

We need a blocking tight end. Matt Farniok is probably not the best drive blocker as a guard. We really need a better drive blocker at right guard that can also pull block. Matt Farniok isn't that guy. He's still blocking like a tackle. Maybe we can flip the right side so that when Will Farniok comes in we have Matt Farniok and Cam together on the edge. They seem to double well together. Putting Cam at guard is wasting his speed and great hands.

Someone in another forum called him hands of stone which is pure bulls***. I put a video together to mock that claim:

 

[Doc Holiday]

I appreciate your insights. Tom Osborne had some solid ideas about fraternity and using every tool available within the rules. And I also appreciated his talks about being honest to players by giving them truthful feedback.

At this point we really need guys to step up. But a coach also has to nudge guys by putting them in when they are on the cusp of being ready to find out what they are made of, but not leaning on them too soon. Guys like Reimer at ILB just are not ready for every down yet we rely on them at the moment. Running Wandale so much is another example of too much too soon. Putting guys in bad spots is not a good look and I wish some of this staff would figure that out.

I appreciate the rotation going on at DL, TE, and in the DB group. They are building depth. Even the RB and OL groups are getting more depth. Sadly it didn't happen sooner but its water under the bridge right now. But that attitude would have kept a Jaylen Bradley big back around. We would have probably kept A.J. Forbes and Wegener. In some ways, throwing Wandale in too much made Speilman leave and he would have been nice to keep.

Our coaches in other ways are stuck in failure mode. When obvious breakdowns occur, like Daniels turning his back - taking himself out of his responsibility at DL - needs instant feedback. Honas pursues weakly and poorly comes down the heel line with too much depth. Stille plays hand technique for run plays on obvious pass situations. DL don't shuck their guys on their heads, leaving too many active OL in a play. (Yes, winning hand position allows you to dump guys on their head if you use their momentum and your lift/twist correctly!) Receivers continue on routes to never never land and never comeback into obvious holes. QBs hold the ball for losses when they can ditch it because they muddle decisions. (QBs right now are failing to throw timed routes that are open, but that seems to be a systemic problem, which is another topic.) Just so many things to fix.

Rat my brother were cut from the same cloth buddy.

DOC HOLIDAY.

 

[Doc Holiday]

When I look at the coaching leadership on this team, I see three areas where Nebraska has problems. The offensive line, the running game and in n essence the running backs, and the overall offense management/direction.
And I look at the coaches of all those and they are former Huskers, former Huskers from the championship years or tied to the last coaches from the championship years.
It's almost as if they do not want to replicate how Nebraska got to those most recent glory years. It's like no, we can do it on our own and don't need any of that old fashioned, old school stuff.
I don't know, when Cornhuskers don't want to do it the Cornhusker way, then I'm not sure its going to work on the offensive side.
And based on what I see, read, hear and know about Scott Frost, its his ego and stubbornness that is going to hold his teams back from being anything more that what we've seen in 3 years.

Kinda Funny how the same guy coaches O line and is run game coordinator.....
And for the record I don't give 2 hoots in a handbag who he played for or any other outside football crap.....ok ? I base my judgement on what I know and I knew Milt Tenopir better than almost anyone.....and I did not play on offense....even in High School.....I started Midget Football on Defense because I was fast, liked to hit kids and loved a good fight....my coaches even then saw if handled right and taught how to be aggressive with the proper control....well the rest is muddy Water under the bridge.

But I believe in giving anyone with the strength to step up a chance and until now have not said one word about Coaching.....but in my reserves opinion.....we need to look at the root of the problem first if you wanna pull weeds later.

DOC HOLIDAY

 

[Doc Holiday]

Thanks for the breakdown DOC.

As always my friend....your welcome.
DOC.

 

[MadRat]

You know the guys I found hardest to shuck? The aggressive ones that beat my hands into their chest by putting their hands into my chest more quickly. My instinct was to sweep arms over the outside and back under in one strong reverse-shrug. But that takes a split second. And if that guy buried his facemask into me or caught me off guard with a few things (e.g. punch to gut, back of hand in throat, yank down on my shoulder pads, lift and twist on my shoulder pads, etc.) it could be miserable. It sure helps to win hands on the line. When I was under two hundred pounds as a wet-nose freshman at college, I caught a senior off guard and dropped him before he knew what was happening. Because hand position is the trump card to size and power. We just can't pretend all these poor use of hands on the DL & OL isn't part of the overall problem in the trenches.

 

[huskerrod]

Good read, Doc. I come just to read your stuff....thanks

 

[Doc Fumble]

God how we miss a healthy Dedrick Mills!

I'm a big fan of Wan'dale Robinson too but -- Good Golly Molly -- this is the B1G!!! It sickens me every time I see teams like Iowa and Wisconsin doing a better imitation of old-style, 'Pound the Rock' Husker football than our team does!

The key to making the Husker offense click is a strong 'between the tackles' POWER game. Once we can buck-up and consistently run the ball for four or five yards up the middle, the offense will open up every place else. But for every decent run we've had this season, we've had twice as many that have been stuffed for no gain or a loss.

Several things to comment on the OP's post. 100% do not let Jurgens snap another ball. Move him to guard.

With all due respect to Coach Frost, I completely agree with Doc and Mrjfb on this one.

How many chances does a center get to snap the ball seamlessly? Any offense -- but particularly one that depends on establishing an offensive rhythm -- cannot afford snaps that are anything but routinely perfect. The hard truth of the matter is that even the snaps we don't talk about are rarely right where it needs to be. Our quarterbacks can't just assume the ball will be snapped directly into their hands. They always have to assume the snap is going to be an adventure. How any QB is supposed to perform well under those conditions is beyond me.

If Frost is hell-bent on making Jergens his center, then put the QB under center. It's ironic that THE ONE TIME Frost ran the old-style Husker attack against Ohio State, his offense moved right down the field.

 

[Jimbosc]

I have a good name for the current offense - the Duck of Death

 

[kfr1631]

Come on everyone, the Huskers are undefeated. Unfortunately, the only team they keep beating is themselves

 

[RED ED]

You know the guys I found hardest to shuck? The aggressive ones that beat my hands into their chest by putting their hands into my chest more quickly. My instinct was to sweep arms over the outside and back under in one strong reverse-shrug. But that takes a split second. And if that guy buried his facemask into me or caught me off guard with a few things (e.g. punch to gut, back of hand in throat, yank down on my shoulder pads, lift and twist on my shoulder pads, etc.) it could be miserable. It sure helps to win hands on the line. When I was under two hundred pounds as a wet-nose freshman at college, I caught a senior off guard and dropped him before he knew what was happening. Because hand position is the trump card to size and power. We just can't pretend all these poor use of hands on the DL & OL isn't part of the overall problem in the trenches.

Matt Farniok A Scouting Perspective - Corn Nation


thought you might agree with the assessment of hands in this

 

[Doc Holiday]

I had the opportunity to take a very well known current NFL Coach Hunting last year and during our 5 days as Guide and Hunter we talked a lot of football and he is one of the Coaches who firmly believes if you can't run the ball your in trouble. You become predictable and even average Defensive Coordinators will see this and take advantage.
They start with 2 deep or drop a hybrid backer into coverage and will just rush 3 to give you limited targets....then if you have the luxury of a running QB and you start to crack off a few yards...they cover that up also so you see the advantage of being able to move the ball with a running back. He taught me a lot of inside coaching stuff but he is one of the brightest younger Coaches who still understand if you can't run the ball your in a heap of trouble.

Before anyone asks ....I don't normally play name dropper cause I just don't like doing it period....and on top of that I don't have his permission but I can say that he is a coach who got a nickname from a scary movie character who was a possed puppet who had a thing about using butcher knives....ring any bells ?
He really is as intense as one would figure but a really great person.
So if this guy is so dead set of being able to CONSISTENTLY run the football....I would listen and pay attention to what he says.

DOC & Kate.

 

[OhioHusker]

Is Mills really hurt or is this a Frost protecting his golden boy's reputation? I'm guessing Mills is 100% and Frost is teaching him a lesson. Which of course is killing the program, but since when did Frost care about winning games instead fluffing his ego?

 

[Doc Holiday]

I doubt very much it's a lesson learning thing....if he wasn't 100% I would sit him too, we do have young guys who can run a few plays that are 100%...and you might as well throw them in and see if they just tread water....or take off and swim....this coming weekend with a Bobby Diaco Weak sister D on deck....I would suspect as much flack as Frost has gotten that I know he has heard.....I would bet no matter who goes to Perdue your gonna see a heavy dose of running plays.

DOC HOLIDAY.