Jason Peter and Jay Foreman now on "staff"

See I am in the awkward or envious position of kinda knowing what's happening now and what I see with my own eyes happening for the very near future and I have ABSOLUTELY NO DOUBT about the current direction our Huskers are headed.
The signs are there if you only know where to look.
First thing you should look at in our unique situation is the state of the walk on program. You might like to read about 4 * players and dream of getting 5 * players but that is not the heart and soul of the Cornhuskers...never has been....never will be. No offense to those big time guys but most of them are concerned with what the team can do for them instead of what they can do for the team. I think we have seen some of that in recent times first hand.

The state of our Walk On program is almost as healthy as it was when Coach Osborne retired. Just look at the recent articles about how 5 former guys from the 90s now have their Son's walking on at Nebraska....that one thing alone speaks volumes about what is happening in Lincoln.
Then you notice subtle little tweaks that Scott Frost is making with the current roster...Recruiting wise mostly....going after Big tough guys to tote the rock that WILL get you those 2 or 3 tough yards everytime they touch the ball.
Longer faster and taller athletes to catch the ball (though we did really good with the little sure handed guys in my day....this ain't my day as some are so quick to point out.

On Defense he and Coach Chins are making the needed changes to have a very stout and stingy Group bigger Linebackers for the middle and taller longer backers with speed to burn in the outside positions to get up field whenever needed. Remember we still have yet to see Coach Chins really turn our guys loose so they feel they can attack the offense whenever they see a chance......I have a feeling we will see this come fall if things go as we hope they will.

It sucks yeah, that all of this has to happen in the middle of a freaking pandemic for cripes sake but still were able to push through it.

Remember what dont kill you ......only makes you tougher.

DOC & Kate.
 
See I am in the awkward or envious position of kinda knowing what's happening now and what I see with my own eyes happening for the very near future and I have ABSOLUTELY NO DOUBT about the current direction our Huskers are headed.
The signs are there if you only know where to look.
First thing you should look at in our unique situation is the state of the walk on program. You might like to read about 4 * players and dream of getting 5 * players but that is not the heart and soul of the Cornhuskers...never has been....never will be. No offense to those big time guys but most of them are concerned with what the team can do for them instead of what they can do for the team. I think we have seen some of that in recent times first hand.

The state of our Walk On program is almost as healthy as it was when Coach Osborne retired. Just look at the recent articles about how 5 former guys from the 90s now have their Son's walking on at Nebraska....that one thing alone speaks volumes about what is happening in Lincoln.
Then you notice subtle little tweaks that Scott Frost is making with the current roster...Recruiting wise mostly....going after Big tough guys to tote the rock that WILL get you those 2 or 3 tough yards everytime they touch the ball.
Longer faster and taller athletes to catch the ball (though we did really good with the little sure handed guys in my day....this ain't my day as some are so quick to point out.

On Defense he and Coach Chins are making the needed changes to have a very stout and stingy Group bigger Linebackers for the middle and taller longer backers with speed to burn in the outside positions to get up field whenever needed. Remember we still have yet to see Coach Chins really turn our guys loose so they feel they can attack the offense whenever they see a chance......I have a feeling we will see this come fall if things go as we hope they will.

It sucks yeah, that all of this has to happen in the middle of a freaking pandemic for cripes sake but still were able to push through it.

Remember what dont kill you ......only makes you tougher.

DOC & Kate.
Thanks Doc, always good to hear from you buddy. Do you think that Frost will actually commit to the run game more? I know we saw it vs Rutgers but several times during the last 3 years it has not been there. Just curious as to what you are seeing or hearing.
 
See I am in the awkward or envious position of kinda knowing what's happening now and what I see with my own eyes happening for the very near future and I have ABSOLUTELY NO DOUBT about the current direction our Huskers are headed.
The signs are there if you only know where to look.
First thing you should look at in our unique situation is the state of the walk on program. You might like to read about 4 * players and dream of getting 5 * players but that is not the heart and soul of the Cornhuskers...never has been....never will be. No offense to those big time guys but most of them are concerned with what the team can do for them instead of what they can do for the team. I think we have seen some of that in recent times first hand.

The state of our Walk On program is almost as healthy as it was when Coach Osborne retired. Just look at the recent articles about how 5 former guys from the 90s now have their Son's walking on at Nebraska....that one thing alone speaks volumes about what is happening in Lincoln.
Then you notice subtle little tweaks that Scott Frost is making with the current roster...Recruiting wise mostly....going after Big tough guys to tote the rock that WILL get you those 2 or 3 tough yards everytime they touch the ball.
Longer faster and taller athletes to catch the ball (though we did really good with the little sure handed guys in my day....this ain't my day as some are so quick to point out.

On Defense he and Coach Chins are making the needed changes to have a very stout and stingy Group bigger Linebackers for the middle and taller longer backers with speed to burn in the outside positions to get up field whenever needed. Remember we still have yet to see Coach Chins really turn our guys loose so they feel they can attack the offense whenever they see a chance......I have a feeling we will see this come fall if things go as we hope they will.

It sucks yeah, that all of this has to happen in the middle of a freaking pandemic for cripes sake but still were able to push through it.

Remember what dont kill you ......only makes you tougher.

DOC & Kate.
Fully agree on the aggressiveness of the D,and why I think our O hasnt worked out yet.

Looking back at last year, two very important components on both O and were missing or inconsistent.
On the D, the old axiom, stop the run, well,the last half of the season, we were top ten in stops on third down, so, keeping this with everyone returning but Bootle, we can now stepoutside our base at times and turn it loose.

On O, the old axiom, run the ball, it too was inconsistent,part young players and young O line, add in very poor tinely injuries to our rbs, makes it tough on a young team to get it together and gel.
But again, we started to see we could run the ball some, and with everyone coming back but one,as Jaimes is basically already covered with Corcoran, experience at rb, more at wr, bigger guys, it cant get worse,but can get much much better.
From what I'm getting is,guys want to be there,guys want to play, want to compete, and really want to win, as seen against rutgers,long year, nothing but pride for a trophy, overcame themselves and their mistakes, several rutgers sucker punches that landed, stood in, and won.
 
Looking back - we had a combo of issues on offense - oline was expected to be good, instead it was more a transition year to bigger/better athletes. Alot of injuries at RB - never had much consistency until Mills could take the load late in the season. WR - we flat under performed - alot of 'ships have been spent by Frost at WR and we aren't there yet. I won't go into QB - but with all those other issues - you are asking alot for the QB to light it up.

Now - there are still head scratching play calls and mistakes on offense that are beyond the players. That has to be fixed.

I think there is potential to improve with the guys on the roster - but we have no proven skill players on offense - outside of AM2 (and we all still wonder if he is the guy/can protect the ball well enough). Against the quality of defensive players and coaches in the Big 10 - that is not a great formula for success.
 
Looking back - we had a combo of issues on offense - oline was expected to be good, instead it was more a transition year to bigger/better athletes. Alot of injuries at RB - never had much consistency until Mills could take the load late in the season. WR - we flat under performed - alot of 'ships have been spent by Frost at WR and we aren't there yet. I won't go into QB - but with all those other issues - you are asking alot for the QB to light it up.

Now - there are still head scratching play calls and mistakes on offense that are beyond the players. That has to be fixed.

I think there is potential to improve with the guys on the roster - but we have no proven skill players on offense - outside of AM2 (and we all still wonder if he is the guy/can protect the ball well enough). Against the quality of defensive players and coaches in the Big 10 - that is not a great formula for success.
I look at the mistakes and head scratchers this way.
Like Doc points out, the D will turn it loose more this year.
Our O needs to perfect its base, which is first, to run the ball,and if anyones in doubt, lookno further than two of SFs greatest mentors, Dr Tom and Chip Kelly, both know and have shown and spoke on the importance of the run game.
So,run being first, if its working, your spread game then becomes a thing,as you know.
But the inconsistent run made our spread pass game less effective,as we saw,the short sideline passing game,some short crossing passes and TE seam routes were working,but nothing deep to oujr wide outs, attributable to our inconsistent run game allowing opposing Ds to hem in our spread concepts, wih lack of over the top plays.

So,learning to walk,as the D did, before they run, the O needs that run game, which is the catalyst for the rest, provided, as you pointed out, the wr room no longer underperforms.

Then . and only then, its game on
 
The signs are there if you only know where to look.
I agree with your points and hope you’re right.

I’m willing to accept that many of my concerns with Frost’s play-calling to date is because Scott knew, deep down in his heart of hearts, that our OL simply wasn’t ready for Big Ten prime time.

One thing I suspect that Doc Holiday and I agree on is that the key to future success for Frost’s offense is a strong power running game. If that becomes our “Go To” bread and butter, every other aspect of the offense works better with a talented run/pass QB.
 
See while I think it might have been a educated, inflated ego thing we were seeing ( I have mentioned several times how dang stubborn Frost can be at times ) he has now had time to tweak and mold the O a bit plus he has known all along that to win in the Big 10 and win consistently you have to be able to run the damn ball it's as simple as that and no matter how high flying he wants his Hybrid Duck O to fly.....it ain't gonna get off the ground unless you do what NEBRASKA has done forever.... run the ball....its too deeply engrained in the very DNA of what Nebraska is and is best suited to doing. Osborne got it and ran with it literally....and I think ( but won't say for sure) Coach might of had some input in this case...the old saying "If it ain't broke don't go tryin to fix it"....sure seems to fit the mold here and seeing we now have a really solid group of great young linemen who love to lean on and shove people around as a core group that runs about 3 deep at every spot with more guys coming every Recruiting cycle....its starting to feel like Uncle Milt is smiling a bit between spitting tobacco juice again.
Seriously things have not looked this friendly and familiar for a long long time in Lincoln and I really like it.

DOC HOLIDAY.
 
I was always told if you want a crystal ball to see into the future....good luck with that, get in line but to really get an idea of where were headed in the not so distant future...watch the walk on program first and foremost...they are the backbone and heart and soul of everything that is...NEBRASKA.
Secondly watch the skill guys that we are consistently going after, linemen on both sides of the ball in particular. You see us getting the the type guys like we have now and getting walk on's that have the size and make up we can develop (like we are doing now)
Next watch the Defensive disrupters....guys who can cover ground quickly and have speed, speed, speed to burn watch the middle run stuffing guys, look for that prototypical type again that already have the size or can grow into the size guys that are needed in this Conference to win consistently.
Watch the Wide Receiver group...and the Defensive Backs....you see height, size and speed on both sides of the ball and 4 or 5 with sure hands...that says volumes about the direction were headed. The Running Backs, you will always see us carry what we like to call a "scat back" Think Cory Ross, with the hands of Kenny Bell....think Roger Craig...but your going to see the majority of our backs more like L.P. types.....guys with height and weight and that all important 10 yard burst of sprinter like speed that can hammer some unsuspecting defense into submission down after down till they get tired of getting hit and start doing their best matador impersonation OLE'

You watch these specific areas and you will see for yourself what is in the works.
One final word...all of this I have posted above here....is things I see right now so you tell me...how bright do things look to you now?

DOC & Kate.
 
Thanks for the insight Doc. A lot of us have noticed the influx of better talent but often have not been seeing this talent work under Frost's system. However, most of us realize especially with linemen that even talented recruits are often not ready for this level of football and need time to develop and mature. It takes time to develop quality depth as well. Big 10 football is much more physical than what Frost was used to. I think it took him some time to realize this. I believe he lost a recruiting class or two before he actually realized what type of player it takes to compete in the Big. I think we are getting those type of bodies now. I hope this results in better play.

I am encouraged by the development of the defense. Your post gives me hope that the offense is ready to make that leap as well. Thanks again.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Doc Holiday
The biggest and honestly brightest spot is the Young Offensive Linemen....the group that played Perdy much every offensive snap at Rutgers to close out this past season is going to be the backbone of things to come. What's more is we have 3 I know of on the team that are every bit as big and nasty as what played in the Rutgers game then you add in a couple of Walk on guys ready to bite the bullet....and then the new guys coming in with this "Covid Class" what a name for them by the way.....and if they pan out like the last half dozen young guys are....we will be able to put a student Manager in at running back and put up yards !

This group of linemen is what has me most fired up...they have the swagger, attitude and strength and toughness we have been needing so badly.

DOC HOLIDAY.
 
  • Like
Reactions: RED ED and Cigarman
The big difference is Boe and Farniok are being replaced by all the aforementioned studs on the O-line. Wandale and Mac would have been protected by them. And with the USC transfer Wandale wouldn't have to be our go-to back on the goal line.
Momma wanted him home, shed gotten the wuhan,daddy wanted himhome, and his trainer wanted him home, e hdnt been home for a long long time, I get that.
Luke?
Not sure whats going on there
 
I will freely admit that I could be looking at this the wrong way, BUT, for what it's worth...

My experience is that after the 'talent thing' (which makes up 80% of a team's success), the type of team chemistry that makes up the other 20% comes from the players themselves and not from some old-timers lecturing them about how they used to be great back in the good ole days.

Frankly, I think the 'elephant in the room' is that these kids are feeling way too much pressure to be great when they haven't even shown they're good yet. From my perspective, Frost's 'No fear of failure' mantra hasn't exactly worked out very well.

I don't really see a downside to Foreman and Peter volunteering.

I appreciate that Frost is doing whatever he can to try and fix this.
 
10 yard speed is all talk until you demonstrate it. Get rid of sideline to sideline 'conditioning' on a constant basis for the big boys.
 
I don't really see a downside to Foreman and Peter volunteering. I appreciate that Frost is doing whatever he can to try and fix this.
I agree, Husker99. My point, if there really was one, is that we fans shouldn't make too much of it.

I only said it because it was the type of news that would have gotten me all excited not-that-many years ago.