My
2 Cents
10/7/07
Responses Page 5
Amen to your commentary about supporting
the Huskers. Sure, no Husker fan wants the program to be where it is now.
But it is what it is and booing the players is just not acceptable. We
had Husker tickets for probably 35 - 40 years and occasionally you would
hear a few boos as the players went in at half time, but very few. Granted,
in the Devaney/Osborn era, there wasn't very many reasons to boo. I sure
don't know what the problem is now, but stick behind the players. That
is the least we can do.
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First, a true Husker fan would never become a life long Cyclone fan. Second,
Cyclone fans are not good at all. Look at any game, winning or losing
more then half of the stadium will empty by halftime and those fans have
went back to tailgating. Having said that, it's true enough that it's
easy to be "the best fans in the world" while winning and the
real test comes when you aren't. However, it's been several years, some
under Solich, that has seen many Husker records/strings broken, in fact
consecutive sellouts is one of the few remaining records, so, Husker fans
have been great, understanding and supportive throughout some rough years.
The difference this year is multi-faceted. It starts with the last 3 years being our best recruiting years in history, which sets expectations higher. As fans we are looking for improvements and this year, without question, has been a step back. As fans we want to hear/see solutions to problems not "we'll look at the tapes", "we're not happy with where we are on defense", "Coz is really down", "the players want to get better" or "as coaches we take full responsibility". Not only are Husker fans the best they are very knowledgeable about the game and can see that not only are we being beat we are not competitive, have no emotion, are not physical. Coaches aren't making any noticeable adjustments to put players in the right situations, they aren't slowing offenses down and aren't helping our offense get any type of rhythm. Kansas, KSU, Colorado and OSU have all made coaching changes and have progressed each year and this year appear to be hitting their stride so, why aren't we?
I have read several articles about the
current situation and as a fan don't agree with the booing, however, the
alternative is closing the wallet and not buying tickets, not buying PPV,
not buying apparel, etc. I don't want to see the consecutive game sellout
streak come to an end. I do want to see us compete, not win every game
but to compete, not fall into mediocrity and play with emotion so, does
wanting to see some changes, albeit coaches or players make me or the
rest of Husker Nation bad fans?
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To some this might seem a bit unpatriotic. But, to the contrary, it appears
that speaking up and speaking out for the good of the whole is a solemn
duty.
I believe that the effort endured on a weekly basis from those fighting for success is valiant. The troops are well equipped. They are talented specimens that do what they are told. However, it appears that they have now lost confidence in the policies of their commanders.
Because of this, I issue this statement: The Department of Defense in Husker Nation is under serious duress. The time has now come. Secretary Cosgrove must be replaced.
The commander in chief, Mr. Bill Callahan, has some serious decisions to make and he needs to make them quickly. The status quo is not tolerable in Lincoln . The typical talk of the town can no longer evade the voice of the people throughout the homeland. Mr. Callahan must do what is right by replacing his longtime friend.
Former combat veterans like Matt Davison have called the Columbian Catastrophe “unacceptable.” There is no doubt that losing 41-6 on national television only serves to aid and comfort those that hate us for our tradition.
Although I am not yet convinced that this battle is a civil war (Yes, Kansas and Kansas State are fighting factions of the same accord), I do believe that if we do not act quickly we may forever lose our chance to make a difference. Nebraska still has a great stake in what happens in the Big 12 North and we should be fighting for our interests.
Sure, losing in a place like Columbia , Missouri is difficult. But there are still other battles that can change the course of history. Despite reliable intelligence that suggests that they are training in places like, Boulder, Manhattan , and Lawrence , Nebraska is still capable of pulling together and turning this thing around.
However, only a well-defined plan can help turn this program back to the beacon of greatness that we once perched ourselves upon. Offering criticism does not change the situation. Solutions are needed for dire problems.
To fill in for Coz, Mr. Callahan must hire someone that will be easily confirmable amongst the Husker electorate. Although we can’t get General Pelini, perhaps there is a bright mind from a past successful administration that could be used to make changes.
Kevin Steele, with a great deal of experience from the early Gulf wars with Miami , seems to make a lot of sense. He understands the tradition and the expectations. He helped recruit in the fertile Florida underworld to help nab Private Tommie Frazier. And yes, I know that Steele is working at Alabama for Nick Saban. But I also know that it is the duty of every Husker to serve when called upon.
We’re now living in a post 5-6 world. 9 wins is not a given. We can no longer have the “Us and Oklahoma ” mentality. The college football world has changed.History tells us that there are instances in time when the right person is needed for the right moment.
It was Coach Devaney that told us we could walk on the moon. In 1971 we did that.Coach Osborne led us through the cold war with the Sooner Nation. On November 1, 1997, the wall fell and Nebraska was left standing with a 69-7 win on our way to another National Championship.
So what happens next is up to ‘We
the People’. The best thing about being a Husker is that we decide
what is best for our program. We can demand change. And if the leaders
don’t listen, we can always use our powers of impeachment.
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BigRedMax,
Perspective. You have to put it all in perspective my friend. Let us look
at it this way. Say for example, that you were used to driving an old
beat up 1991 Dodge Spirit and had been driving it for 10 years. Maybe
you loved the car, maybe you hated it, but the simple fact was this, you
were use to that car. Everyday it was yours, everyday you drove it to
and from work or school. Then one day, you get a brand new 2007 Dodge
Avenger. Whether you loved or hated your old car, it would be an improvement.
Quieter inside, probably better or similar mpg, and comfy. Everything
would simply be better and newer. You would be pretty happy. Now let us
say that you drove a Bentley everyday for the last 10 years. You had nothing
but the best, and suddenly you had to drive that 2007 Avenger? Not that
it is a bad car, not at all. But the simple fact is it is not a Bentley!
Then worse, what would happen if you had to drive that old beat up car?!?!
This is the difference between Nebraska and ISU. We have been a good football
team for as long as most can remember. Iowa St. has been absolutely horrid,
then decent, then horrid again, and up to mediocre. When Iowa St. does
well, it's like they are getting that 2007 Dodge car. It is a great alternative
to the norm. It is nicer, better, and comfier than normal. But the opposite,
when Nebraska does poorly, it is like we suddenly have to drive some crappy
old car. It sucks, it isn't comfy at all, it's loud and looks bad. The
biggest problem of all, WE ARE NOT USED TO IT! Right now we are bordering
on getting that old crappy car.
We are Nebraska. We expect to win, and if we don't win, we expect it to
be a well played game. Most Husker fans don't expect 60-3 again. Most
just expect a true competitive nature displayed for each and every game.
And that my friend, is what is lacking this year. It honestly looks like
our players and coaches don't care. It's almost as if they both, coaches
and players, expect to win just because they play for Nebraska. As I watched
the Missouri game, Coach Callahan looked afraid, he honestly looked baffled
and afraid. He looked like he had no clue as to why the game wasn't going
his way and on top of that, like he had no idea what to do to change it.
That scares me a lot! Our coach, at least, should be a cement rock of
motivation. At all times, no questions asked. No frailty, no lack of confidence!
I for one am a Diehard Husker fan. I am a defensive nut. Every game I
watch, college or pro, I critique the defenses and study them left and
right, up and down! Last week just made me sick. I will never stop being
a Husker fan. I will never miss a game if I can help it, but I am not
going to just sit and smile as we lose. I will not sit back and just be
ok with it. During the games, I will cheer, not boo, but I will question
our coaches and/or players. If I do poorly at my job everyone in the business
will question me. No, it is not 85,000 frustrated people, but then again,
I am not getting my school paid for and I don't get to play football for
Nebraska either!
So, will we see the true color of "Husker Fans" in the weeks
to come? Probably so. I think that most Huskers will continue to come
to the games and for the most part cheer, but they won't be very happy.
Remember, the only reason people are so angry now is because we are not
use to this...give us a few losing seasons and most of the angry fans
will be quieted and the true faithful will emerge.
Hopefully that won't be the case though, cuz lets be honest, we don't
want to find out how many "true" Husker fans really act when
we don't compete every year, now do we?
Just wanted to share my lurking opinion :)
--- A Diehard (and painfully dying right now) Husker Fan
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David Max,
I am a 61 yr old Husker fan. I haven't lived in Nebraska since I was twenty
years old. I lived in Colorado ;for 20 years, and have been living in
Oregon for the past 18 years. I take as much pride in the Husker fans
as I do in the football team. I was living in Colorado when one of the
Colorado players broke his neck against the Huskers in Lincoln. Nebraska
fans cheered for him as they took him off the field, Nebraska fans visited
him in the Lincoln hospital, and even the Denver newspapers couldn't say
enough good things about the way their injured player was treated by the
Nebraska fans. It is not unusual for TV announcers to discuss what great
sportsmanship the Nebraska fans show. I am very proud of Nebraska fans.
But Nebraska fans demand excellence, and what is wrong with that? Successful
people in any field demand excellence of themselves and their co-workers.
The product that is being put on the field this season just isn't up to
par with what we Nebraska fans expect. Football, certainly for coaches
and athletic directors at this level, is a business. if Bill Callahan
and his staff can't get the job done, changes must be made ( he should
understand that from his experience with the Oakland Raiders). So as long
as the Nebraska fans continue to be excellent hosts to their opponents
and their opponents fans, and so long as they continue to cheer their
team as they have always done, then I find no problem with them demanding
an excellent product from the coaches and the players.
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Good coaches make teams. They make teams out of ordinary, outstanding
and sub par players. Many of the players on this particular Husker squad
are outstanding, and the frustrating part is we will likely never see
their true potential as they don't have coaches that can pull that out
of them. We have coaches that are excellent at recruiting. We have coaches
that understand the game extremely well. What we don't have is a play
caller that understands the changes that need to happen during a game.
We have a play caller that sets a plan based upon film and doesn't deviate
from that plan during the game. We have a play caller that has very little
variety in the running plays. I could be convinced Callahan is a good
head coach, but I sincerely believe he doesn't have the ability to call
plays.
Cosgrove has a history of knowing football very well, but his defensive teams at WI were mediocre at best. This particular defensive unit is not cohesive and they lack team playing skills. I believe this fact falls squarely on coaching. I see similar traits in Cosrgrove as I do Callahan: A game plan is created and deviating from the plan based upon the current game rarely happens. I see little adjustments, but not major changes to counter what the other offense is showing.
The 2007 Nebraska Cornhuskers are not a football team, they are group of talented young men not playing as a unit. A team requires teaching and coaching and it is quite apparent this particular staff doesn't possess the ability to formulate a team. I also don't hear Callahan taking blame. I think he sees himself as such a good student of the game that he doesn't see his limitations and faults. He obviously knows the game, but he has no business calling plays.
I am a Husker fan, and always will be. I don't condone the booing. We need to stand by these young men through good and bad times, but I do believe the bad times will not go away with the current blend of coaches. They have been given enough time to be moving in a positive direction. That doesn't mean NU should be contending for the National Championship this year, but it does mean there should be progress.
Go Big Red
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Our head coach keeps wanting to speak of parity in the college ranks.
That’s fine, there is plenty of talent to go around and it’s
good for college football for teams to compete evenly for that talent.
However, if there is talent parity between the teams (that being the players),
then the problem boils down to the coaching staff. There are no NCAA restrictions
on hiring or firing the best coaches. If there is player parity, then
the problem with our beloved Cornhuskers must simply be that the coaching
staff isn’t good enough anymore.
There are several things that happen when a head coach speaks of parity between the teams, the most important of which is that the players are given an excuse for getting stomped on by teams the school historically owned. The players begin to believe they aren’t really better, they begin to think they are on an even field with these other schools. They loose their passion and swagger. They don’t expect to dominate, because there’s parity!
This is not so. Nebraska has a tradition these other schools don’t have; they have the blackshirts, they have the longest streak of 9-win seasons and longest streak of attending a bowl game. They have the longest streak of sold out home games…they have the best fans in all of college football.
I think Matt Davidson is on to something about the players, “…not believing in the system.” They know the history of Nebraska . They know that a 3-man rush was not working and that they had a coaching staff failing to make adjustments; which clearly wasn’t working. They gave up! They see their head coach on the side line confused and not seeming to understand that his game plan is a failure!
I watched Sam Keller, Marlin Lucky and others play with intensity. Lucky look so frustrated…but on he played, on he soldiered. Sam Keller made plays, even when it looked like he was going to get sacked…he made the play. But the coaching staff failed. With 3rd and 2, and the 9 to go for the first down, with Nebraska moving the ball, the play goes to the end zone. Why? Like last year, coaching decisions have cost this team. They ARE in danger of loosing out, because our head coach believes all the other teams have risen to Nebraska ’s level. They have not, Nebraska has dropped in quality because the head coach believes his team is not truly better than the others, he thinks there is parity and that is what’s wrong with this team!
It’s time to go get Bo Pelini, bring him back and let him run the show. If not, then maybe Steve Pederson needs to go! He hired his friend, a guy who proved he wasn’t that great a coach in the NFL. One season of going to and loosing the Super Bowl doesn’t prove anything; just that you lost the Super Bowl.
I am no fan of Bill Callahan, but not because of his offense, but because he looks confused, because he doesn’t adjust in the game, because he has Sam Keller on the sideline after every play, giving him the “grand plan” and it isn’t working.
The definition of crazy? Continually doing
the same thing, expecting different results. This Nebraska head coach
and his staff are crazy!
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Big Red Max
Like everyone I'm not happy with the performance of the Cornhuskers this
year but, I was born a Cornhusker fan and will always be one. I have lived
in Missouri for the last 26 years but spent my first 21 in Nebraska and
you really get a different perspective of Nebraska football when you don't
live there. You don't get to bask in the beauty of a great win with your
friends and you can't share your frustration with other fans when they
play poorly. Everyone in my work place knows I'm a die hard Cornhusker
fan and today really sucked. People from Missouri hate Nebraska football
and the love to see it fail. My point is I know their not playing well
but I'm a Cornhusker fan. We don't cheat, we have a great academic record
and our kids are generally good folks. These are things to be proud of
and the fans should represent Nebraska with that same class. Missouri
fans a terrible ask the Cornhusker fans that visit Columbia.
I know we've all lost confidence in the coaching staff but I remember
the early Osborne days when he almost went to Colorado. Is Bill the next
Tom I very much doubt that and don't go down the Frank path that wasn't
the answer either. We had Devaney and Osborne for 35 years and if you
think about it that's incredible we were lucky enough to have 2 great
coaches for all those years. Hopefully the current guys can get things
turned around and still have a good year. What happens beyond that is
a long ways away. I'm going to continue to root for the Cornhuskers
Great fans cheer their team no matter what and they don't boo. Whoever
was doing that should be ashamed. That's somebodies son down there and
I don't care how big they look they are young men that don't deserve that
kind of negativity.
Lastly the negativity affects recruiting we have numerous kids sitting
in the stands that are looking for a place to go spend the next 4 years.
These are some of the greatest times of a young person's life. Why would
he go some place to get booed. That's classless.
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I was all most in tears during and after the game. I just can not believe
how bad we look under BC and company. I told my wife that things will
change at the end of the year. If SP does not make a move with his staff
then most fans will look at other teams to follow. I have decided I will
always be a husker fan, however I just can not watch anymore of this season.
It is way too painful. I hope all the seniors on the team that want to
continue playing football after this season have better success than they
are experiencing this season.
Very disappointed fan.
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David,
At the start of our season, there wasn't a single fan who looked at our schedule and thought we would go undefeated. Hell, people were saying that if the team could go 9-5, it would be a fair season. Furthermore, most fans were pretty certain that USC and Missouri were going to beat us. Both are very good teams and had two weeks to prepare for us and heal injured players. Having two weeks to prepare is huge for any team.
I've watched every game this year and
have not seen anyone "quit." These kids have played their asses
off. For goodness sake, we replaced our entire defensive line (the very
heart of any defense) and we're surprised we have some problems. My frustration
has been with some of the fair weather fans. This IS NOT a National Championship
team and no one had claimed it was. But, now everyone talks as if two
losses has destroyed our season. We have a very good team, not a great
team. USC and Missouri will continue to prosper and so will the Huskers.
Tom O. did not win championships from the outset. Please keep supporting
the Huskers the way you have. A lot more people than you think agree with
you.
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Hello Big Red Max,
I am 76 years young. I grew up in North Platte and a Huker fan since 1948.
I have been a loyal fan thru the years. I have seen the good and the bad.
This team is hard to figure out. To me it lacks heart. To much pro attitude
and not enough college spirit I remember when Tom Novack would tear you
head off. I do not see that today. I do think that the season is lost
and attitude is put in place during the summer training camp. As always
a true Nebraska Fan. GO Big Red
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Dear Sir:
With all due respect, I am appalled that a former Husker; now Cyclone,
would be quoted in your making-a-statement column. While living in Fort
Dodge, IA and living in Minnesota, we were able to attend some Iowa State
games. I might add they were not always Iowa State/NE games, but other
teams as well. I would be interested to know where all those loyal fans
are. Iowa State fans attend the tailgate parties, watch the game for a
quarter or two and then leave. Win or lose. From reading the excerpt,
this sounds like a person who is envious of the Nebraska program and lurks
only to find fault with Husker fans. The Greatest Fans in all of College
Football means many things to many people. To me and my family, it means
supporting the team, being knowledgeable about our team, the opponent,
the rules and showing respect to the other team and their fans. It has
nothing to do with the venting that goes on at HuskerPedia. Hopefully,
these people take out their frustrations on the site and not the dog.
My husband and I live in MN. We attend all home games and usually at least
one away game. Is this always convenient? No, but that is what we have
chosen to do and are proud to be able to support our team. To us, taking
pride in our team is taking pride in our native state.
We will not be able to attend the Oklahoma State game and will not be
able to see it on PPV. Our granddaughter, who attends Gustavus Adolphus
College in St. Peter, MN, is playing in the rugby Final Four on Saturday
and we would not miss that for the world. Go Gustie Girls! If we didn't
have other plans, we would be in our seats an hour early like every other
home game Saturday, wearing red and cheering for our team. After the game,
we would meet with friends and complain about the offense, defense, coaching
staff, Steve Pederson and Bill Callahan and Co. and then get ready for
the next game.
I cannot condone wearing a green shirt, a pink shirt or any other adverse
visual form of taking a stand. To other Husker fans, please, if you feel
the need to take a stand, show your intelligence and reverence by composing
well thought, well written letters and emails to the appropriate people.
The Missouri game was a disaster under any microscope (I am still sick
to my stomach) and I have my own opinions on how this happened. But that
is just what they are...opinions.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to put in my Two Cents worth.
Saturday is Homecoming. WEAR RED; BE LOUD. And as always, Go Big Red!!!
Respectfully submitted with sincerity,
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knew we were doomed as soon as the ESPN feed cut over and I saw us in
a 3 man front. Have we learned nothing from the Texas Tech spanking 70-3
a few years ago?? I am an aggressive, physical guy, so I would rather
see us go down swinging then see us concede defeat from the word go.
My plan against the spread/hybrid, run and shoot, whatever is the same.
I would rush 4 guys and blitz a speed guy EVERY down from a different
spot. I would play tight bump and run/man to man and take my chances.
Sure a perfect throw will burn us, but the QB has to make that throw and
the receiver has to make the catch. When you blitz, the QB does not have
all day to throw, more like 2 or 3 sec, so the receivers will not be able
to get that deep and we should be able to stay man to man with them for
the most part and defend and or make the tackle. This is better than standing
there and letting them make the catch and tackle them after 10 yards.
The blitz is simple. Bring heat from a different spot every play...middle,
left, right. Take every DB, special teams gunners, back up WR/RB, etc
and start rotating them in fresh as the blitzer and pressure/hit the QB
every play. After awhile, the QB will be rattled and it will be harder
for him to make that perfect throw to burn us. The DL is there to take
on the linemen and free up the blitzer. With those wide splits, should
be a quick straight shot to the QB. The 2 line backers are there to take
away the middle screen, draw, run, etc..
Can it be that simple?? If so, I'll resign my position and apply for the
DC job
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My family (mother) comes from Shelby and I have know Hiebels my entire
life. I assume Joleen sits with her mother. I have lived away from Lincoln
since graduating and followed Huskers through thick and thin; more thick
than thin. I knew Fred Duda when he worked in Louisville and he took the
game very seriously. This year is the topper; team has regressed not gotten
better even with better talent. My best guess is that Nebraska is no longer
a high profile job if it ever was. We were lucky Tom liked being a Nebraskan.
We had to pay Devaney to keep him from going to Miami. I would keep my
eye on Shawn Watson. He could be the guy to coach college ball; he did
a super job at Colorado in developing players. It will continue to be
a tough year and the older I get I understand you don't give your life
over to a bunch of 18-22 yr olds that have their own lives to live. No,
I don't like the booing but I tears me apart to think that from that upset
of Oklahoma I witnessed in the knothole in 59 has come back to team that
appears not to care in 07 or have any idea of the tradition and effort.
Say hello to Arleen and girls.
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I am so ****** off that I don't even want to think of the adjectives that
I could use to describe my furor! I can handle the Huskers losing...don't
like it, but I can handle it. What I cannot stomach is the lack of intensity
and pride in the Nebraska Football Program by the current powers that
be in Lincoln. I am SO sick of this conservative offense approach in games
that are lopsided like Saturday night and last year against USC. I will
say right now for the record that I will continue to support this team
and these kids, I will buy the pay per view on Saturday, and I will continue
to donate my hard earned money to the university. However, what I will
NO LONGER continue to do is keep my mouth shut and be complacent. I'm
sorry, but something has to be done in Lincoln and right now! I am firing
off daily e-mails to S.P. and the coaching staff. Someone has to be accountable,
and ultimately it is the AD and the HC. I hate to say this but I see no
other alternative but to fire Coach Callahan and his staff. Personally,
I'd like to see Turner Gill as the HC, but I don't know if that is even
realistic. The program needs a coach that understands the history and
the pride of Nebraska Football and BC just doesn't seem to fit the bill.
This team may not win another game this season, frankly I don't really
care, but changes have to made and the sooner the better. One man's opinion!
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Hi,
I'm a lurker on the HP web site and thought I would send you a brief analysis I did as I tried to get a handle on the big bowl of poo we're swimming in. Essentially I wanted to know how close we've come to something like this in the past by looking at past records, stats and blow out losses.
My conclusion is that I'd rather keep
Callahan and replace the current AD with Dr. Tom Osborne. Don't know if
one more opinion is of interest to you but I'll attach my meandering all
the same.
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