Linebackers

[Kakdawg]

I don't give a **** what his 40 time is. He has plenty of football speed. He's already a better pass rusher than Tannor. Tannor does have speed but he doesn't know how to use it and he doesn't have much else. Nelson's going to be a starter next year and he's going to be a first team all conference player at some point. Nelson has the type of mentality you want in a football player and he has plenty of talent to go along with it.

You don't have to give a **** about his 40 time. Those that coach for a living DO give a ****. Even still I can agree that 40 speed and football speed are different.

Love the kids mentality motor and his heart. You are right about that id take a team full of guys with his mentality. Id just want mine to be a bit more talented. It's obvious you think us getting back to where we want to be will consist of us having a bunch of guys like Nelson. I disagree. I believe we need guys with his motor and mentality yet better athletically.


If you watched as much football as you claimed you would know which was more likely. You have seen Bama and LSU and OSU or Clemson. You let me know which of their starting or even back up OLBs have the same athletic profile as Nelson. Even a DE for that matter.


If you are game we can save this post and make a friendly wager on whether or not he becomes an all big 10 performer as well. If be pleasantly surprised and would be glad to pay you if that's the case.


Holla

 

[schuele]

I don't give a **** what his 40 time is. He has plenty of football speed. He's already a better pass rusher than Tannor. Tannor does have speed but he doesn't know how to use it and he doesn't have much else. Nelson's going to be a starter next year and he's going to be a first team all conference player at some point. Nelson has the type of mentality you want in a football player and he has plenty of talent to go along with it.

I think Nelson will be a pretty good player but if you're taking any wagers on this prediction, I'm in.

 

[bigRed-no-BiilyC]

Question.
In order of importance what is more important?
1.speed 2. athletic ability 3. intelligence 4. effort and desire.
Or is it
1. effort and desire 2. intelligence 3. athletic ability 4. speed?

Now put names to these attributes. Tyjon Lindsey for the first and Jordon Westerkamp for the second. Who do you play? Who do you bench?

A conference championship? A playoff team? You guys are talking about that stuff like it's going to happen this year or next year at the very latest.

Maybe you would have more understanding for the coaching staff and team if you stop dreaming and have expectations for the football team more in line with what you expect from let's say .....yourself .

 

[inWV]

A team full of Westercamps, Jojos and Nelsons gets NU 8-9 wins and maybe a CCG appearance if the skill talent is decent. Conference titles will require an upgrade defensively at DL and LB.

 

[Kakdawg]

Question.
In order of importance what is more important?
1.speed 2. athletic ability 3. intelligence 4. effort and desire.
Or is it
1. effort and desire 2. intelligence 3. athletic ability 4. speed?

Now put names to these attributes. Tyjon Lindsey for the first and Jordon Westerkamp for the second. Who do you play? Who do you bench?

A conference championship? A playoff team? You guys are talking about that stuff like it's going to happen this year or next year at the very latest.

Maybe you would have more understanding for the coaching staff and team if you stop dreaming and have expectations for the football team more in line with what you expect from let's say .....yourself .

Its not an either or proposition u need them all. You can put whatever level of importance on them that u wish. Fact of the matter you need a combination of all of them. You can also add coaching to that mix as well.


Previously in the thread the OLB was talked about and i mentioned a combination of Nelsons motor, physicality, and demeanor combined with someone like Tannors physical abilities. Or vice versa. Would be a great combination and the type needed to get Nebraska back competing for National/big 10 titles.


Somehow a couple people took it as a knock when i said right now Nelsons best traits are his motor and physicality. That isnt a knock. I hope everyone our team can come with that same level of both. Im just of the opinion that we we need more than just THAT. You will also need a level of athleticism /speed/skill regardless of the position u play.


Holla

 

[Kakdawg]

A team full of Westercamps, Jojos and Nelsons gets NU 8-9 wins and maybe a CCG appearance if the skill talent is decent. Conference titles will require an upgrade defensively at DL and LB.

Fwiw i think Jojo is a much better athlete than giving credit for. I wouldnt put him in that category.


Holla

 

[WestCoastCornhusker2]

No doubt. I think he can play and do a fine job situationally as a 3-4 guy. The guy mentioned him playing like a DE in a 4 man front. THAT is where he can be most effective at even though he still would be below the line athletically. I THINK he can be ok doing that.

But if/when they line up in base 3-4 and put him out in space or have to run with a slot guy or a RB hes gonna struggle.

One of the reasons coaches like the 3-4 is because you can be more versatile and unpredictable with your OLBs. When you have some that arent the entire package you lose some of that.

Again its not a knock just a reality. Jojo maybe my favorite player on defense. Super instinctive,pretty fast and high football IQ yet coaches have to be careful how they play him. Sure he lines up at OLB sometimes. BUT you dont wanna have him out there over a OT or big Wiscy TE trying to set the edge in the run game.

Situationally is how i think Nelson would be best used. Again its just an opinion. Trying to use him as a base 3-4 guy every down wouldnt suit his skill set imo.


Holla

I was wondering if one of those tall 6'4 DBs would get converted to OLB?

 

[WestCoastCornhusker2]

I don't give a **** what his 40 time is. He has plenty of football speed. He's already a better pass rusher than Tannor. Tannor does have speed but he doesn't know how to use it and he doesn't have much else. Nelson's going to be a starter next year and he's going to be a first team all conference player at some point. Nelson has the type of mentality you want in a football player and he has plenty of talent to go along with it.

That red koolaid is strong.

 

[Kakdawg]

I was wondering if one of those tall 6'4 DBs would get converted to OLB?

I think ive heard mention of maybe Wright and Farmer maybe getting a look. I wouldnt be against it. We need some guys like that on the field and Safety seems to be in pretty good hands.


Holla

 

[oldjar07]

You don't have to give a **** about his 40 time. Those that coach for a living DO give a ****. Even still I can agree that 40 speed and football speed are different.

Love the kids mentality motor and his heart. You are right about that id take a team full of guys with his mentality. Id just want mine to be a bit more talented. It's obvious you think us getting back to where we want to be will consist of us having a bunch of guys like Nelson. I disagree. I believe we need guys with his motor and mentality yet better athletically.


If you watched as much football as you claimed you would know which was more likely. You have seen Bama and LSU and OSU or Clemson. You let me know which of their starting or even back up OLBs have the same athletic profile as Nelson. Even a DE for that matter.


If you are game we can save this post and make a friendly wager on whether or not he becomes an all big 10 performer as well. If be pleasantly surprised and would be glad to pay you if that's the case.


Holla

I watch the top teams play all the time and know what kind of talent they have. You can nitpick anybody if you want to. Heck even Chase Young has plenty of things he can work on. The vast majority of guys you're comparing him to are upperclassmen on playoff teams. Nelson's has to play as a true freshman because he's on a team with 3 straight losing seasons. Nelson is a massive upgrade in talent and mentality than what we've had at the linebacker position recently. He's going to get a lot better from where he's currently at. I think there's a better chance than not he's an All-Conference player and I'm betting he's a first teamer. If he's not, I'll stop posting.

 

[Kakdawg]

I watch the top teams play all the time and know what kind of talent they have. You can nitpick anybody if you want to. Heck even Chase Young has plenty of things he can work on. The vast majority of guys you're comparing him to are upperclassmen on playoff teams. Nelson's has to play as a true freshman because he's on a team with 3 straight losing seasons. Nelson is a massive upgrade in talent and mentality than what we've had at the linebacker position recently. He's going to get a lot better from where he's currently at. I think there's a better chance than not he's an All-Conference player and I'm betting he's a first teamer. If he's not, I'll stop posting.

Agree to disagree but fair enough. I hope you are right.


Holla

 

[Suhrreal]

kak is right. Nelson needs to drop some bad weight and become more athletic. He is too slow on the field right now and that combined with his missed assignments are a bad combo. With that said, he did knock a QB out of the game which is a huge thing. Need his tenacity to rub off on others. Right now he's more of a first down and short yardage LB than anything. Not a bad asset to have in this conference, but to claim he is a future all conference LB is a bit much.

 

[Kakdawg]

kak is right. Nelson needs to drop some bad weight and become more athletic. He is too slow on the field right now and that combined with his missed assignments are a bad combo. With that said, he did knock a QB out of the game which is a huge thing. Need his tenacity to rub off on others. Right now he's more of a first down and short yardage LB than anything. Not a bad asset to have in this conference, but to claim he is a future all conference LB is a bit much.

Kind of my thoughts as well. Its what i meant by a situational OLB.

I didn't think much of the weight but i honestly liked him a bit better(on film anyways) when he was closer to the 235-240 pound range. Im not sure its even "bad weight" but i think it may hinder him a bit more than it helps him as an OLB. He works his *** off so im sure its "solid".

I agree with pretty much your entire thinking about how Nelson plays the game. He should be the standard fir how hard u play down in and down out. Work ethic is great as well. Hoping the rest of team can reach his level.

At his current weight he can be effective in a "phone booth" . But as a "true" OLB doing all the things they ask of them he will struggle some.



Holla

 

[WestCoastCornhusker2]

I think Nelson will be a pretty good player but if you're taking any wagers on this prediction, I'm in.

I'm in too, he just doesn't have the speed and explosiveness. Which are things you're mostly born with.

 

[dinglefritz]

I'm in too, he just doesn't have the speed and explosiveness. Which are things you're mostly born with.

As SoFlHusker posts often, "lift weights, lift weights, lift weights." We've heard many times that it takes a couple of years to remake a true freshman's body in to what you ultimately want him to be. You can definitely improve your quickness and to some degree straight line speed in the weight room. I have no doubt that he'll get the most out of what he has to work with and that's all we can ask of him. I still remember Jay Foreman coming in with a 4.9 hand held 40 time as a freshman. Did he ever get to 4.5? Nope, but he was good enough to play LB in the NFL by the time he left Nebraska.