Dansker
New member
The hell that I’m talking about is this attitude that he is the only option, our only hope. Yes the potential is there. Yes he is more realistic than my first choice, Shaw. Yes his resume is impressive. Yes I realize he is likely who we’ll end up with. I wouldn’t say he is the best option but rather is a very good option. Most of my problem stems from the attitude and approach of a handful of posters hereabouts. I will say that the more I watch UCF, the warmer I get to the idea.
The problem I have is maybe more my preconceived notions of what his offense is, maybe more so than what it actually is. I haven’t watched enough of his games to determine if it is in fact significantly different than Oregon was or if he employs enough power and rushing for my tastes. It’s simply my opinion and my preferences. Sorry if I’m not succumbing to the group think here. I need to arrive at my own conclusions. I’m not there...yet.
You are mostly correct. The vertical passing game does concern me. As you say, I’m “old”, old enough to have watched Nebraska football since the very early 70’s. We have never been very good at the vertical passing game and it has never been a significant part of our offense when we were any good. It has been a big part of our offense when we’ve sucked for the last 20 years. So yeah, it concerns me. Call me old fashioned, I prefer having a run first identity. I prefer being the team that knows what to do and how to get that first down on 3rd and 3. I’m not opposed to having a viable passing game or a balanced offense. I would prefer it. I just have never seen a successful Nebraska offense predicated on throwing the ball in Memorial stadium in my 54 years on this earth.
And Im a little pickier about what I consider “good” football than Landlord is. He has been content and satisfied most of the 2000’s. I haven’t been impressed at all, by anything, since about 2001. My only hope is that we get back to controlling the LOS (which we need to do to have success in the B1G) and that we get back to an aggressive, attacking form of defense (which I believe we need to ever win anything of substance). It wouldn’t hurt for some here to listen a little bit to a guy who has been watching the Huskers since before some of you were following your moms around the grocery store wearing three cornered britches. (I had to add that just because you called me old)
Great post! I think our offense can be more like Alabama's. I prefer a smash mouth offense that is predicated on the run, too but has playmakers at wide receiver and can score in a heartbeat. They have a dual threat QB which I think is another plus. I do think with the right coach, we can lineup in an I-Formation like we used to and run the ball better and still have a downfield vertical passing threat. We have to have that because the game has changed quite a lot.
I'm only in my 30's but I've researched Cornhusker football history. So, I'm well aware of what we were like in the 70's and 80's and especially the 90's since that is when I really grew fond of Nebraska football. I know Tom Osborne loved to throw the ball a lot at first. He was a perfect coach that could adapt and change. Even on defense.
I recall an interview before the 1995 OB vs. Miami where he said something about our climate not being favorable for an offense that likes to throw the ball a lot. This is true and to this day, it still holds true and we have nearly 20 years documented of it not being so successful. I just think the days of running for 300 yards every game, every week and passing for 120-150 are over.
Today's defenses and game present different challenges as opposed to the 90's. It's more about finesse and speed than it is strength and power. I like coaches that can put all that together and present a balanced approach while still maintaining a level of physicality on both offense and defense.
We lost our mystique over the years of being the most physical football team in the country. Teams hurt after they played us. With the right coach and staff, we can bring it back. I think toughness and physicality is something you can teach rather quickly if it comes from a coach that preaches it.
