That maybe to help Donovan it suggested to bring up a coach just for the OTs which seems to be where the online problems are. I didn't know that was a thing but apparently it is.
it was brought up on a pod cast......
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You can have the greatest techniques in the world but if you can't match-up physically against your opponent, your coach "sucks."
When it comes to line play, IMO, it's all about recruiting and development. It's about finding 18-year old kids who ooze heart and fire and projecting how big and strong they'll become.
Certainly what I'm about to say didn't apply to me, but I think part of the problem is Husker Nation get overly hyped during Fall Camp. We heard how our OL was dominating (um, a young, underdeveloped DL) and thought the unit was going to be One of The Best in the Country. Instead, in turns out pass protection was one of the team's most glaring weaknesses.
This is Holgerson's first year so it's not going to click like TOs offense in one off season. Back when we were successful, we had coaches that had been running the same basic O for years and knew how to adjust to every wrinkle the opposing Defense was presenting that particular game. I think it's important to remember this is a total rebuild. Going to take a few years operating within the limited budget that Rhule is working with. #42 nationally. I am all in on Rhule he's what we need here.
You know, for all our complaining, and yes I am including myself as well, think of where this team would be right now, even with the terrible OT pass pro, if Nebraska could just stop the opponent's run game.
I mean, take everything this team is, as they are right now, and just give them a run defense that can hold their opponents to even 90 YPG. Hell I'd wager we'd be 9-0 right now and ranked in the Top 5.
I read and watch and have no answers -- I'm not that football savvy. I do know that there is more than one problem to be addressed. Coaching, talent and maybe a lot, some, a little of it has to do with players who are playing for money instead of playing for heart and loyalty.
It's already been a few years. The BobFather and even BoPeep fixed most problems in year one. For all the money being paid to HCMR and OCDH I expect a lot more.
Thing is, most people predicted our pass defense would be a strength, which it is. Virtually nobody was saying that about the run defense. The biggest issue I have is the missed tackles.
Harsh.
I'm the guy who said that if our OL wasn't better, we wouldn't be better. For multi-yrs preseason, when some peep's blow sunshine and drink kool-aid.
We need to improve, either thru coaching or recruiting/what-not.
But I don't agree with this. Our Huskers play to their best level, imo, and they are a busted-up crew.
gbr. full stop.
I'll disagree to a point, yes you have to have talented players, but look at the OLINEs of teams that we out talent and how well they play. Heck look at Indianas OLINE a bunch of 3 stars and they play clean great technique football and they aren't even 2 years into Cignettis tenure.
Even if the players suck, recruit better. That falls back on the coach.
This is what is so frustrating about this. We all agree that the pass pro of our OL, especially at the OT spots, are extremely suspect.
What none of us can figure out is why. Is it talent evaluation? Is it their development? Coaching? Scheme? Like nobody has ever been able to definitively say, with any degree of factual certainty that __ is the cause. It might be just one issue but more likely it's a combo of all four.
I will say though, our OL's run blocking, while not dominant, does open enough creases for EJ to get through. Downside? Another back, without EJ's cutting ability, would be far less effective running behind this OL.
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Probably a combo of all 4.
As for EJ his vision and jump cuts are off the charts good. The run blocking i agree is pretty good but some of that could be due to EJs abilities. The other guys behind him are light years behind.
But you do get a lot more! He has a podcast and regular appearances on that show hosted by the moron in the tank top. Even TO never achieved that.
Completely agree with this. EJs unique ability to make defenders miss makes our run blocking look adequate. It is not. The Oline is a flustercuck in almost every measure 4 years into Don's tenure. Enough is enough.
I honestly don't know. Other teams do it Osborne did it Pelini did it so do Solich but apparently some can't just be careful mentioning the past to often some might say it's not relevant to today
I'm not trying to differentiate at all. We've missed enough tackles on passing plays too (screens or in the flat)
There are other ways to be bad at run defense and I don't think those necessarily pertain to this defense.
Rex and then Ameer also did the same thing in masking a suspect O line. It's becoming a Nebraska tradition.
Then perhaps what Nebraska REALLY needs is better talent evaluators because whoever is evaluating the talent we're recruiting at OT is missing badly.
