|
First Thoughts for this Year
by WallStreetHusker
Yep, only two seasons in my world. Nebraska football season,
and the off season.
It's been a while since I've checked in from my bunker on the
east coast. Toddlers tend to limit the amount of discretionary Husker writing
that you can accomplish. I hope to make some observations this season and add
to this great website once again. That, and the recent issues with the old website
and David Max has me motivated to jump in with some game observations this season
for HuskerMax exclusively. David has been instrumental in working to bring the
Husker Nation together for many years, and I know we all appreciate those efforts.
There are two things I'd like to briefly address as Big 12
Media days wrap up and fall camp begins. Tradition and patience.
First, tradition. A lot has changed since the years of B.C.
The program has made significant strides with Bo at helm as each of you know.
My wife and I flew out from NYC to the Football 202 program last year and it
just seemed like the old Nebraska football 'feel'. Family, tradition, respect,
individual responsibility with a collective goal in mind. The coaching staff
had me sold. Last year's play has confirmed that thought. The staff just gets
it. Remember B.C.'s first year when we had Dailey at QB and they kept trying
the West Coast offense with Option recruited personnel? It was a square peg
in a round hole. As confirmed last year, this staff has the wherewithal to go
with a plan that works for the strengths of the team. I love that. As frustrating
as it was at times on the offensive side of the ball, it was refreshing that
by mid season they made the adjustments to win the Big 12 North. Something happened
last year, it looked like the team started to believe they could beat anyone
in the country. What a dramatic shift from 2 years ago. Pelini's defense looks
eerily reminiscent of LSU circa 2007. Tradition was never lost over the last
ten year period, it was simply misplaced. This staff has reawakened the Big
Red Machine. Tradition helps a coaching staff make these decisions with managing
the team off of their natural strengths. Continuity at the coaching level is
critical for future successes. I sincerely hope that the nucleus of this coaching
staff decides to stay put similar to what we saw with T.O. and B.D.
Second, patience. There is a lot of talk about Nebraska taking
on the world this year and winning the Big 12, pushing on to a National championship
game, etc. Personally, I'd like (at least the Nebraska media) to be patient
with the team - set high expectations, but not demand the result. These are
kids after all and anything can happen (Iowa State last year). I certainly do
not want to deflate everyone's lofty expectations. I also look forward to a
great result this year, and every year. As a die hard fan, it feels great to
be relevant again on the national stage. But I urge a side of patience if the
overall result isn't a National Title. Please no rumblings of firing the staff,
etc.
Finally on patience, there is a lot of talk about the quarterback
race and the decisions ahead for the staff. Personally, I'd like to see Zach
Lee continue (provided he is ok to go after surgery) - and yes, I am aware you
may disagree. There is no substitute for a player that has been in the program
for an extra year and has established relationships with a senior offensive
line. Cody Green is a great talent, but an extra year of leadership and development
should hopefully translate into Zach finding the 2nd and 3rd options in Watson's
offense. Remember Ganz not being given the reigns when he clearly was the right
call? The other thing I noticed this off season was the discussion of Mike McNeill
moving over to WR for more playing time at that position. I'm excited to see
this because McNiell's down field receiving and route running is his strength.
Putting some of the bigger TE's like Hill and Cotton with a block first, run
route second mentality, will hopefully open up more with our running attack.
Presumably, we may see more heavy sets and a similar offense to Alabama's last
year. Run first, play action passing, ball control. That style of offense will
depend on a reliable second and third option in the backfield. NU brings that
with Roy and Rex. This, paired with a Pelini defense, is a difficult proposition
for any team in the country to beat.
My wife is pregnant with our third, it's a boy. I asked her
what she thought about "Rex" being his first name. She said no. It
was worth a shot Husker Nation.
From the Big Apple --- to the Big Red Country...
WallStreetHusker
-----------------
The WallStreetHusker is stuck in the northeast where 9 professional sports teams
compete for his attention. Yet, none can penetrate the dedicated Husker Born
- Brendan Meyer. I have officially converted my New Jersey wife into a Husker
fan. She has learned to scream at the TV during Husker games, understand what
‘West Coast Offense’ means, and look for ways to vote for Osborne
as our next President. She can tell you what Johnny Rodgers did to Oklahoma
in the year Nineteen Hundred and Seventy One. This ritualistic conversion training
is the only established creditability that I bring to this weekly written adventure.
Also, my daughter was born with red hair and was conceived in San Antonio after
Nebraska beat Michigan in the Alamo Bowl. These two facts are more than enough
for everyone to establish me as an “expert” of Big Red football.
Comments or questions, please feel free to write
me here.
|
& 
