A series of articles by Brandon "Blankman" Cavanaugh.

Spring Football Wrap-up Week #1

Hey there Huskers and Huskerettes, Blankman here. Well it’s been a few weeks since the copies of Shooting Point Blank were tossed around the Internet, chalk it up to a very excited yours truly starting his final work at ITT. Nevertheless, I am back in the saddle again and ready to report on this week’s happenings in the world of the Scarlet and Cream.

- Richie Incognito Added to Rimington Watch List

Itchy Richie’s already getting some recognition for his collegiate work and frequent mauling of defenders by being added to the Dave Rimington Award Watch List. The award, of course, named after former Husker Dave Rimington is presented annually to the nation’s best center, a position that Richie will be returning to camp to get used to after serving a brief period on the bench for one reason or another. One thing I’d like to touch on here, there were some rumors a while back that Richie had been kicked off the team, left, whatever you want to believe. This kid is all about Nebraska. I’ve had the chance to talk to his proud pappy a number of times and take my Scout’s Honor for it, he’s a good man and has raised an equally good son. With Richie being a sophomore this year, expect to see his name on the Rimington watch lists again in the future. (Do I hear two-time winner?)

- The Numbers Game

Programs! Programs! Can’t tell one Husker from another without a program! Looking over the initial roster for we Springtime devotees, it seems not only with Nebraska be going back to the old beloved uniforms next season, but they’ll be erasing all memories of the 7-7 campaign by forging new identities. For those keeping track: Josh Davis, a former #25 much like Tough Tony is now taking over Thunder Collins’ old #1. Matt Herian ditched #42 in favor of a pair of unos at #11. T.J. Hollowell digs the Deuce with #2. David Horne will be tearing his #5 jersey in half and handing two of them to Jammal Lord and Bernard Thomas, Horne, by the way, will be wearing #9. Finally, Mark LeFlore hopes to have a little more positive criticism flung his way than the previous occupant of the #10 jersey. Lord stated that the number change, from his perspective, was a chance to give himself a fresh start. Here’s hoping Jammal has a stellar senior season.

- Spring Has Sprung

Well, it’s here and it’s mildly entertaining. Spring Football began for the Nebraska Cornhuskers on Wednesday with a shells-only practice. Jammal Lord seems insistent on advancing his passing game, staying late after practice to perfect his skills. Offensive Lineman Jermaine Leslie missed Wednesday’s practice after sustaining an ankle injury, here’s hoping he gets back on the field in short order. Head Coach Frank Solich mentioned that they’re keeping practices tighter than spandex on Anna Nicole Smith in an attempt to keep things hush hush against Oklahoma State and the other early Husker foes.

- Bo Knows Defense

New NU Defensive Coordinator Bo Pelini has the Blackshirts under the magnifying glass early stating, “"But am I going to be patient with them and say it's OK to accept anything less than perfection? I'm not going to do that." Looking at what Bo has let come out, he strikes me as a very determined coach. We’ve seen guys like Grant and Jason come through the system with fire already in place, but with Pelini, you sort of get the idea that it’s not optional, it’s mandatory.

New NU Secondary Coach Marvin Sanders has one goal already out in the open: Get Willie Amos’ confidence back. Willie had a solid freshman campaign but is battling back after being out for a year with an injury. Willie has stated that he’s had a problem with confidence as of late, if you’d be interesting in sending Mr. Amos some encouraging correspondence, hit me up at the e-mail address provided below.

- A Blast From The Past

Chad Sievers, a linebacker last season for Nebraska is looking at a new role this spring. Nebraska Defensive Coordinator Bo Pelini has requested that Sievers log some time in at the rush end spot as well as the BUCK linebacker position. Chad’s listed at about 6’ 3” 235 pounds which is dramatically different from what we’ve been used to at the rush end spot during the Solich Era, but it could end up being a boon. When you’ve got guys like Chad lined up, speedy and able to hit coming from one side, a down linebacker shooting from the other side and, dare I say, a cornerback coming in, that quarterback’s going to taste FieldTurf before Joe Adams in Section 17 can bite into his freshly baked runza. It’s become obvious during this first week of spring that Pelini and his staff want not only men who can hit, but men who can fly. On Siever’s ability to hit and his intensity, Jeff Jamrog stated, “Practicing in sweat clothes the other day, he about killed a quarterback.” Good enough for me.

- The Lord Giveth and the Lord Can Taketh Away

Yeah, I’m probably going to hell for that tagline, but I digress. Nebraska quarterback Jammal Lord is determined to make 2003, his senior year, a positive campaign, not only for himself but for the team and the fans as well. When asked what he was looking to improve this offseason, Jammal stated that he wanted to “Pass, pass, pass and pass some more." It’s obviously that Jammal is looking to atone for his mistakes this past year and while some folks could care less, I admire the lad for what he’s doing. He may not have had the best ability to read defenses or throw the right pass at the right time on several occasions, but he’s trying and trying hard. That says a lot about Jammal Lord and whether he has a stellar season or not, he seems to be a great individual and that’ll take him far in life, let alone football.

- In Summary

It’s been a long week and a lot of positive things have come through. New numbers and new attitude. Positive coaching changes and implementation of some fascinating ideas. Of course, we can’t expect to see the Bo Pelini Express come the Spring Game, but what we can expect to see from the defensive side are kids who form tackle very well and can pursue like no other. On the offensive side, we can see positive improvement from Jammal, the offensive line as far as opening holes and runningbacks as far as finding them. In the end, Spring practice is one of the last stops of refreshment before the barren wasteland of the rest of the offseason. Stop and get a drink while you can.

Questions, Comments and Microsoft Visio Guidebooks can be sent to [email protected]

===Brandon a.k.a. Blankman #71===

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