A Little Bit on D. Raiola

realHuskerDrew

All-Conference
Jun 12, 2001
13,138
3,690
81
I’ll believe when I see good line play in games… against other schools… the good teams
 

Huskers12

Senior
Apr 22, 2003
4,240
948
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Well I take the words from the players. It's sounded to me that they like D Raiola better than G Austin because he's just a better coach. I do hope there is a lot better OL play this year. If so, this team can be successful if they can put all moving parts together. The sooner the better!!!

GO BIG RED!!!
 

inWV

All-Conference
Sep 22, 2007
14,189
4,837
91
I’m sure they are talking the guy up, but it seems they like and value him. That counts for a lot. The constant talk about football is the tell of a gym rat. I think gym rats can make good position coaches.
 

king_kong_

Redshirt
Nov 3, 2021
24,413
4
0
As a bears fan, I’m disappointed that NU’s well is potentially being poisoned by the rotten fruit of that terrible franchise

As a Nebraska fan, I hope he’s somehow amazing at his job and makes a huge impact immediately
 

konaki

All-Conference
Oct 18, 2002
11,599
2,946
113
As a bears fan, I’m disappointed that NU’s well is potentially being poisoned by the rotten fruit of that terrible franchise

As a Nebraska fan, I hope he’s somehow amazing at his job and makes a huge impact immediately
It's up to ownership to put a good product on the field and you can tell which franchises do a good job and which ones don't. All I know is Frost was not happy with Austin and all reports say they were at odds more than once.

I think Raiola has a chance to make a huge impact with the OL group and if he does what he say's he's going to do then I expect a better product starting this year.

I think Frost has a short leash and he can't afford for any of his assistants to do sub par jobs or they will be replaced and so will Frost.
 
Sep 29, 2001
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We'll see how the new coaches do in the Fall. They have a pretty low bar however to beat in terms of simply a better W-L record. Hoping for the best but I want to see it on the field in real competitive games before I make any judgment.
 

Truewooper

Senior
Jun 1, 2022
1,539
573
113
Hopefully he is better. At this point SF's biggest problem has been losing to below average teams (teams finishing under .500. He is 10-5 against said teams in 4 seasons. So if OL can just be good enough to win all those games against bad teams that alone will greatly help the Huskers sniff a bowl game this season. FYI: Mike, Bo, BC, and FS in 19 seasons had a combined 84-5 against teams finishing below .500 (Mike accounts for 3/5 of them)
 

HUSKERFAN66

All-Conference
Dec 8, 2004
21,226
3,573
113
We'll see how the new coaches do in the Fall. They have a pretty low bar however to beat in terms of simply a better W-L record. Hoping for the best but I want to see it on the field in real competitive games before I make any judgment.
This is very true but this coaching staff is going to have to do more than just raise a very low bar. They have to win atleast 8 games regular season to be safely employed at NU next year.
Even with 8 wins there'll be many critics. Following year better be 9/10 wins
 

steinek11

All-Conference
Apr 18, 2004
13,495
1,237
113
Hopefully he is better. At this point SF's biggest problem has been losing to below average teams (teams finishing under .500. He is 10-5 against said teams in 4 seasons. So if OL can just be good enough to win all those games against bad teams that alone will greatly help the Huskers sniff a bowl game this season. FYI: Mike, Bo, BC, and FS in 19 seasons had a combined 84-5 against teams finishing below .500 (Mike accounts for 3/5 of them)
This makes me so sad. The once mighty huskers who instilled fear into their opponents are now hoping that they can become mediocre and live long enough to play another day to eventually become a little bit above average.
 

otismotis08

All-Conference
Jan 5, 2012
12,609
2,736
113
Hopefully he is better. At this point SF's biggest problem has been losing to below average teams (teams finishing under .500. He is 10-5 against said teams in 4 seasons. So if OL can just be good enough to win all those games against bad teams that alone will greatly help the Huskers sniff a bowl game this season. FYI: Mike, Bo, BC, and FS in 19 seasons had a combined 84-5 against teams finishing below .500 (Mike accounts for 3/5 of them)
Those are sobering statistics. Makes me want to have a drink.
 

Truewooper

Senior
Jun 1, 2022
1,539
573
113
This makes me so sad. The once mighty huskers who instilled fear into their opponents are now hoping that they can become mediocre and live long enough to play another day to eventually become a little bit above average.
It is weird indeed. I mean I would understand everyone wanting to wait and see and give all this support if he was like 9 win or something coach who loses all these close games needing more time. I hope I am wrong and all these new staff pieces can fix the problem.
 
Nov 5, 2018
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The O Line wants to win the favor of their new coach, so they are praising new coach at the expense of the old coach. Not surprising at all, would have been surprising if it was flipped.

Optimistic about these offensive hires, but no praise / koolaid for me until I see sustained quality performance over the course of the season
 
Oct 7, 2012
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It's up to ownership to put a good product on the field and you can tell which franchises do a good job and which ones don't. All I know is Frost was not happy with Austin and all reports say they were at odds more than once.

I think Raiola has a chance to make a huge impact with the OL group and if he does what he say's he's going to do then I expect a better product starting this year.

I think Frost has a short leash and he can't afford for any of his assistants to do sub par jobs or they will be replaced and so will Frost.
There were also multiple reports going into last season that Austin wanted out, felt like he was handcuffed on his lineup, and SF convinced him to stay.

I don’t think Austin was a good coach and honestly shouldn’t have been brought over in the first place but I’m hesitant to pin it all on the position coach here. Hopefully the new staff can figure it all out as a unit this year. I was probably one of the most vocal about how big of a joke it was SF wasn’t fired last year… But he upgraded the staff big time this off season. Hope it’s not a year or two too late.
 

poundth3rock

Junior
Jul 20, 2007
2,166
338
83
We'll see how the new coaches do in the Fall. They have a pretty low bar however to beat in terms of simply a better W-L record. Hoping for the best but I want to see it on the field in real competitive games before I make any judgment.
A low bar and extremely favorable schedule.
 

TruHusker

All-Conference
Sep 21, 2001
12,115
2,398
98
There were also multiple reports going into last season that Austin wanted out, felt like he was handcuffed on his lineup, and SF convinced him to stay.

I don’t think Austin was a good coach and honestly shouldn’t have been brought over in the first place but I’m hesitant to pin it all on the position coach here. Hopefully the new staff can figure it all out as a unit this year. I was probably one of the most vocal about how big of a joke it was SF wasn’t fired last year… But he upgraded the staff big time this off season. Hope it’s not a year or two too late.
So, Austin wanted out but Frost convinced him to stay and then Frost made the decision before the season was over to get rid of him?

What doesn't make sense here? IF any of this true then that would be major betrayal and would not sit well with other staff.
 

HUSKERFAN66

All-Conference
Dec 8, 2004
21,226
3,573
113
So, Austin wanted out but Frost convinced him to stay and then Frost made the decision before the season was over to get rid of him?

What doesn't make sense here? IF any of this true then that would be major betrayal and would not sit well with other staff.
Plus I would need more information and clarification on the hands tied on lineup.
 

HominidHusker

Senior
Jun 25, 2018
3,727
743
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I know we had injuries and a new coach, but OL looked pretty awful in the spring game. Hope they get settled fast.
 

leodisflowers

Senior
Feb 25, 2011
14,801
808
0
Just went and looked at what our OL pictures used to look like and you can just see a stark contrast. When our OL was good, even in like 2009-2010 timeframe, they guys look the part. They look like they are 30 and not dough boys. I go look at our current guys photos and you just shake your head.


 

BleedRed78

Redshirt
Oct 22, 2019
3,466
0
0
Was run blocking good because OL is better or because our DL is going to suck at run stopping??? Lol it's the wierd thing about spring games.
Yeah that could be possible. I just know they looked to be run blocking more aggressively anyway, not playing the patty cake B's they've been doing for years now lol. We'll see come fall!
 

Truewooper

Senior
Jun 1, 2022
1,539
573
113
Yeah that could be possible. I just know they looked to be run blocking more aggressively anyway, not playing the patty cake B's they've been doing for years now lol. We'll see come fall!
Lol I know I just love the glass half-full or half-empty that happens with spring games lol.
 
Sep 29, 2001
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I know we had injuries and a new coach, but OL looked pretty awful in the spring game. Hope they get settled fast.
I'm neither praising or dissing Raiola at this point because I simply don't know how he's going to be. Could go either way.

BUT I do know from history that the OL usually is the last unit to gel and come together. Heck even Milt used to need a few games into the season some times before his OL started producing. I'd think the injuries in the spring and whatever new/different blocking techniques that Raiola brought would not produce immediately - certainly not in the first Spring.

So jury is still out on Raiola IMO.
 

HominidHusker

Senior
Jun 25, 2018
3,727
743
0
I'm neither praising or dissing Raiola at this point because I simply don't know how he's going to be. Could go either way.

BUT I do know from history that the OL usually is the last unit to gel and come together. Heck even Milt used to need a few games into the season some times before his OL started producing. I'd think the injuries in the spring and whatever new/different blocking techniques that Raiola brought would not produce immediately - certainly not in the first Spring.

So jury is still out on Raiola IMO.
I agree- don’t wanna jump to conclusions yet.

They need to play good enough to get W’s before facing Oklahoma- then hopefully firing on all cylinders by then. Oklahoma is beatable- plain and simple.
And an upset over the Sooners would be an injection of insane husker energy not seen in (put your number here) years.
 

phoenix4nu

All-Conference
May 10, 2009
9,774
2,088
0
Just went and looked at what our OL pictures used to look like and you can just see a stark contrast. When our OL was good, even in like 2009-2010 timeframe, they guys look the part. They look like they are 30 and not dough boys. I go look at our current guys photos and you just shake your head.


Shoulder pads make a difference.
 

TruHusker

All-Conference
Sep 21, 2001
12,115
2,398
98
There simply were not enough practices to get a good idea of what the run blocking or pass blocking may look like. Throw in the injuries to key personnel and I am not sure how anyone can make any kind of definitive statement at this point. Certainly we have heard the coach speak and even the player speak so that is what our mind wants to see. There is a ways to go before this all translates.
 
Jun 21, 2001
2,103
460
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Yep. For an NU offensive line, these guys are pussies. Needs to try and make them hard in a hurry.

You used "pussies" and "make them hard" in the same response. Not sure if you meant that as a pun, but I chuckled nonetheless. Kept waiting for a yoga pants or litespeed reference.