Our Core Issue

[CatColumbia]

Gave it some thought and here we go:

The core issue lies between our head coach’s play calling, quarterback play and lack of receiver development. We all know this but I digged a little deeper as to why.

I believe that Frost wants to play fast but AMart wants to play slow. Frost can’t open the playbook much because our skilled players are freshman, they don’t know the plays. Some know a few plays while others know other plays. It’s like blending colors with whites in hot water. This causes a lot of substitution and it slows everything down. That’s why we’re getting the same repetitive stuff. It’s due to the lack of playbook knowledge from our receivers and AMart wanting to slow down because he can’t process quick tempo.
We also lack big plays. Where is the 40 or 50 yard touchdown run? This is something Oregon and UCF thrived in. They didn’t have to rely on scoring within the red zone as much. Only person on our team who has that breakthrough ability is Wandale and we’ve done a poor job putting him in a good situation. The chances of us scoring touchdowns in the redzone reduces drastically. That’s why we need to find ways to score on big plays.
Also, I believe our staff needs to train our kids to go deeper. Instead of scrimmaging with 10 yards to go, make it 15 yards to go. We need to get confortable going for more yards. I’m sick of seeing us go for 3 yards on a 1st and 15. All the big boys take what they want, we take what they give which isn’t much. That mentality needs to change.

 

[BHeinDaHuskers]

Here is my guess.

We just aren't winning enough.

 

[jtGoldenKnights]

At UCF Frost ran the same system he just was blessed with having a very good QB and a ultra fast RB that could bounce one to the outside and was gone. Until he can get the same speed that offense won't work especially in cold weather.

 

[RedCap_rivals330392]

In the first two years, there was a problem transitioning to the type of talent needed for most positions. Understandable. But in the third year, it's definitely now down to the QB position. Although Frost has his handpicked QB and Adrian fits for running the ball he's not the needed fast blinker or an accurate passer. We've learned this was a recruiting misfire.

 

[JabroniBlvd]

Gave it some thought and here we go:

The core issue lies between our head coach’s play calling, quarterback play and lack of receiver development. We all know this but I digged a little deeper as to why.

I believe that Frost wants to play fast but AMart wants to play slow. Frost can’t open the playbook much because our skilled players are freshman, they don’t know the plays. Some know a few plays while others know other plays. It’s like blending colors with whites in hot water. This causes a lot of substitution and it slows everything down. That’s why we’re getting the same repetitive stuff. It’s due to the lack of playbook knowledge from our receivers and AMart wanting to slow down because he can’t process quick tempo.
We also lack big plays. Where is the 40 or 50 yard touchdown run? This is something Oregon and UCF thrived in. They didn’t have to rely on scoring within the red zone as much. Only person on our team who has that breakthrough ability is Wandale and we’ve done a poor job putting him in a good situation. The chances of us scoring touchdowns in the redzone reduces drastically. That’s why we need to find ways to score on big plays.
Also, I believe our staff needs to train our kids to go deeper. Instead of scrimmaging with 10 yards to go, make it 15 yards to go. We need to get confortable going for more yards. I’m sick of seeing us go for 3 yards on a 1st and 15. All the big boys take what they want, we take what they give which isn’t much. That mentality needs to change.

He is falling on the sword of Adrian Martinez...he isn't a bad QB but not what we need. Luke comes in and throws great balls to the opposite hash. And I agree - AM's decision making is way too slow.

I'll say it again for the 100th time - Frost needs to play the younger kids. We are already losing games, but this will pay off a lot next year and on. I'm tired of not seeing obviously better options on the sidelines. It took Honas being out to see that Reimer is obviously better. Henrich is also better than Miller. Farmer lacks some speed but came in and had 2 INT - only because of a suspension. Bootle and Dismuke are still liabilities. D Williams needs to learn to tackle.

 

[CatColumbia]

At UCF Frost ran the same system he just was blessed with having a very good QB and a ultra fast RB that could bounce one to the outside and was gone. Until he can get the same speed that offense won't work especially in cold weather.

I didn’t realize the weather in Oregon was warm. Also, don’t compare the level of competition you guys face vs what we face.

 

[Headcard]

He is falling on the sword of Adrian Martinez...he isn't a bad QB but not what we need. Luke comes in and throws great balls to the opposite hash. And I agree - AM's decision making is way too slow.

I'll say it again for the 100th time - Frost needs to play the younger kids. We are already losing games, but this will pay off a lot next year and on. I'm tired of not seeing obviously better options on the sidelines. It took Honas being out to see that Reimer is obviously better. Henrich is also better than Miller. Farmer lacks some speed but came in and had 2 INT - only because of a suspension. Bootle and Dismuke are still liabilities. D Williams needs to learn to tackle.

Yes, that's why this year was supposed to be beneficial to us in the first place. Get Fleming, Betts, Brown, LM, Corcoran, Piper, Scott, Benhart, etc game experience that will pay off big time in the future.

 

[Redscarlet]

I didn’t realize the weather in Oregon was warm. Also, don’t compare the level of competition you guys face vs what we face.

We do have to deal with strong wind in this part of the country more so than Eugene. Osborne said that it’s essential to have a strong running game when it comes to playing in the month of November..

 

[mgbreeze]

In the paper this morning Frost basically said he's been playing slower on purpose to protect the defense. Since the defense has been playing well he's considering speeding up. Has nothing to do with what AM wants to do, the Coach decides how fast they go. I agree it looks like LM seems to process faster.

 

[Headcard]

In the paper this morning Frost basically said he's been playing slower on purpose to protect the defense. Since the defense has been playing well he's considering speeding up. Has nothing to do with what AM wants to do, the Coach decides how fast they go. I agree it looks like LM seems to process faster.

This is true. However, the tempo has always seemed slower with AM in (no matter who the other QB's are).

 

[CatColumbia]

In the paper this morning Frost basically said he's been playing slower on purpose to protect the defense. Since the defense has been playing well he's considering speeding up. Has nothing to do with what AM wants to do, the Coach decides how fast they go. I agree it looks like LM seems to process faster.

Thats BS, and not knocking you. I know you’re just passing on what Frost said.
Look, if Frost is slowing down down for the D, why would he do such thing when the D held Northwestern to 7 points in the first half and the D also spotted the O their only touchdown. How many points did Scott put up in the second half? Zero. Scott’s offense is the issue, not Chinanders D.

 

[jtGoldenKnights]

I didn’t realize the weather in Oregon was warm. Also, don’t compare the level of competition you guys face vs what we face.

You lost to Northwestern........

 

[CatColumbia]

You lost to Northwestern........

They're a good team. I know, from the outside it looks bad but they are a top 25 team.

 

[jtGoldenKnights]

They're a good team. I know, from the outside it looks bad but they are a top 25 team.

Ok well than why is everyone complaining than? Honestly it was easier for him to get the speed for that offense in Florida. If the defense is the issue than don't expect him to make a change. It was the same DC and issue at UCF we just outscored teams. He's not going to get rid of him.

 

[JabroniBlvd]

You lost to Northwestern........

The AAC has no where near the defense and coaching. It isn't even close

 

[mgbreeze]

I'm done making excuses for Nebraska football. I think UCF would handle NW with ease, and I don't even know much about UCF this season other than they can score.

 

[jtGoldenKnights]

The AAC has no where near the defense and coaching. It isn't even close

To Northwestern? You cannot be serious lol. Northwestern? What have they ever done? lol come on.

 

[jlb321_rivals110621]

The AAC has no where near the defense and coaching. It isn't even close

agree

 

[CatColumbia]

Ok well than why is everyone complaining than? Honestly it was easier for him to get the speed for that offense in Florida. If the defense is the issue than don't expect him to make a change. It was the same DC and issue at UCF we just outscored teams. He's not going to get rid of him.

Bc we kill ourselves and it’s not the first time. That’s why the fan base is frustrated. We’ve Lost 10 games in the Frost era that were within single digits.

 

[JabroniBlvd]

agree

Wisconsin, Ohio St, Iowa, NW, Michigan St have been statistically good defenses over the last decade. I think until recent Cincinnati is the only team that has heard of defense.

 

[RedCap_rivals330392]

In the paper this morning Frost basically said he's been playing slower on purpose to protect the defense. Since the defense has been playing well he's considering speeding up. Has nothing to do with what AM wants to do, the Coach decides how fast they go. I agree it looks like LM seems to process faster.

Well there's at least two types of "speed". One of course is a hurry up offense which is at the discretion of the coach calling plays and tries to confuse the defense. The other is the "fast blinker" at QB which is just quick decision making of the QB and doesn't depend on whether the offense is hurry up or not.

Right now I'd say the latter is the problem that is really hurting us. We also can't really go hurry up offense until the team becomes more disciplined and less penalty oriented.

 

[TruHusker]

IMHO, the core problem goes much deeper than the surface issues mentioned.

QB play is obviously sub par. I have said for two years that Martinez simply does not see the field quickly enough to make plays and is too slow on his reads. It causes him to always be late. He was OK as a frosh handing off to 1,000 yard rusher and throwing to a guy deep he could depend on in Stanley. Throw in an occasional Washington swing pass. I am not certain that Luke is the answer as well but time will tell on that one.

I am not in the camp of just playing the young guys because on paper they should be good. It is up to coaches to get the best out of their players not just play who has the most stars. Something is going on with development. We should be able to get some of these younger guys on the field and at the same time, our veteran players should be doing more/better.

This is repeat but cut the walk on program down to a manageable number. We only have so many coaches by rule and having more players only spreads out the coaching and reps. All these players need to get detailed coaching, not just going through drills. I see a ton of technique issues that could be fixed but I have to ask why they aren't.

Austin is a prime example. I am not overly impressed with this position groups. They missed many assignments and failed to do little things that could both avoid holding and yet break a play. But they continually fall back to bad habits. Why? Is because the players are not good or lack ability and brains?

I get tired of reading posts about bad play calling. It is so hard to say where that comes from. It may have been a bad call by the coach or the QB changed the call or in many cases I am seeing, they just plain ole botched the play assignments. We saw the goal line play where they left two guys totally unblocked for a major loss at the point of attack.

These coaches are not drilling down and holding players accountable for mistakes. You have to correct them in practice or they will be repeated in games. Why do we have the same continual problems over and over?

Until you fix that discipline issue, all else doesn't matter, draw up the best play in the world, it won't work.

 

[jtGoldenKnights]

agree

Wisconsin, Ohio St, Iowa, NW, Michigan St have been statistically good defenses over the last decade. I think until recent Cincinnati is the only team that has heard of defense.

This has nothing to do with the AAC. You can't compare conferences. If you want to than you also have to compare the amount of money and resources you get from your conference. It's all D1 football and its all about W and L's.

 

[HuskerLove]

WHY CAN'T THESE WR'S LEARN THE PLAYBOOK?!?!

There's literally nothing to do anymore because of COVID, so these guys should have their heads in the playbook all the time. In-addition, we've had a ridiculous number of practices so if these players can't learn the playbook after repping things as many times as they have, I'd say a lot of the issue resides with the coaching.

 

[Redscarlet]

Well there's at least two types of "speed". One of course is a hurry up offense which is at the discretion of the coach calling plays and tries to confuse the defense. The other is the "fast blinker" at QB which is just quick decision making of the QB and doesn't depend on whether the offense is hurry up or not.

Right now I'd say the latter is the problem that is really hurting us. We also can't really go hurry up offense until the team becomes more disciplined and less penalty oriented.

Spot on especially the 2nd sentence...

 

[egaRdeR]

Gave it some thought and here we go:

The core issue lies between our head coach’s play calling, quarterback play and lack of receiver development. We all know this but I digged a little deeper as to why.

I believe that Frost wants to play fast but AMart wants to play slow. Frost can’t open the playbook much because our skilled players are freshman, they don’t know the plays. Some know a few plays while others know other plays. It’s like blending colors with whites in hot water. This causes a lot of substitution and it slows everything down. That’s why we’re getting the same repetitive stuff. It’s due to the lack of playbook knowledge from our receivers and AMart wanting to slow down because he can’t process quick tempo.
We also lack big plays. Where is the 40 or 50 yard touchdown run? This is something Oregon and UCF thrived in. They didn’t have to rely on scoring within the red zone as much. Only person on our team who has that breakthrough ability is Wandale and we’ve done a poor job putting him in a good situation. The chances of us scoring touchdowns in the redzone reduces drastically. That’s why we need to find ways to score on big plays.
Also, I believe our staff needs to train our kids to go deeper. Instead of scrimmaging with 10 yards to go, make it 15 yards to go. We need to get confortable going for more yards. I’m sick of seeing us go for 3 yards on a 1st and 15. All the big boys take what they want, we take what they give which isn’t much. That mentality needs to change.

I think everyone is over-complicating this. In my mind it comes down to two things.

A) The team is mentally fragile with self doubt and doesn't know how to win.

B) The team doesn't win because of A.

It is a viscous cycle and until it breaks nothing will change.

If the team was winning no one would even notice formations, play calls, WR patterns or blocking, pace of play, or penalties.

Learn how to win and it solves everything.

 

[MOHUSKER]

The Frost/Kelly system demands effective interior running where you consistently can run the inside zone play for 4-7 yards, once you can establish that you build on the outside zone and other counters off that play. We were not able to establish that so far this year or have had unforced errors that required something different on 2nd or 3rd down. If they can’t execute the basics of the offense, the rest will also be a struggle.

 

[HuskerLove]

The Frost/Kelly system demands effective interior running where you consistently can run the inside zone play for 4-7 yards, once you can establish that you build on the outside zone and other counters off that play. We were not able to establish that so far this year or have had unforced errors that required something different on 2nd or 3rd down. If they can’t execute the basics of the offense, the rest will also be a struggle.

While I agree with what you're saying, those runs are never going to be a consistent 4-7 yards if we have zero downfield threat to keep the defense honest (and out of the box).

 

[beaglehusker]

IMHO, the core problem goes much deeper than the surface issues mentioned.

QB play is obviously sub par. I have said for two years that Martinez simply does not see the field quickly enough to make plays and is too slow on his reads. It causes him to always be late. He was OK as a frosh handing off to 1,000 yard rusher and throwing to a guy deep he could depend on in Stanley. Throw in an occasional Washington swing pass. I am not certain that Luke is the answer as well but time will tell on that one.

I am not in the camp of just playing the young guys because on paper they should be good. It is up to coaches to get the best out of their players not just play who has the most stars. Something is going on with development. We should be able to get some of these younger guys on the field and at the same time, our veteran players should be doing more/better.

This is repeat but cut the walk on program down to a manageable number. We only have so many coaches by rule and having more players only spreads out the coaching and reps. All these players need to get detailed coaching, not just going through drills. I see a ton of technique issues that could be fixed but I have to ask why they aren't.

Austin is a prime example. I am not overly impressed with this position groups. They missed many assignments and failed to do little things that could both avoid holding and yet break a play. But they continually fall back to bad habits. Why? Is because the players are not good or lack ability and brains?

I get tired of reading posts about bad play calling. It is so hard to say where that comes from. It may have been a bad call by the coach or the QB changed the call or in many cases I am seeing, they just plain ole botched the play assignments. We saw the goal line play where they left two guys totally unblocked for a major loss at the point of attack.

These coaches are not drilling down and holding players accountable for mistakes. You have to correct them in practice or they will be repeated in games. Why do we have the same continual problems over and over?

Until you fix that discipline issue, all else doesn't matter, draw up the best play in the world, it won't work.

You are quickly becoming must read.

 

[jlb321_rivals110621]

I think everyone is over-complicating this. In my mind it comes down to two things.

A) The team is mentally fragile with self doubt and doesn't know how to win.

B) The team doesn't win because of A.

It is a viscous cycle and until it breaks nothing will change.

If the team was winning no one would even notice formations, play calls, WR patterns or blocking, pace of play, or penalties.

Learn how to win and it solves everything.

The 2018 team finished the season 4-2 with the only losses to top ten OSU and ranked Iowa both came down to the last possession and both were on the road

this team and staff had all the momentum in the world going into 2019 and managed to squander it

 

[egaRdeR]

The 2018 team finished the season 4-2 with the only losses to top ten OSU and ranked Iowa both came down to the last possession and both were on the road

this team and staff had all the momentum in the world going into 2019 and managed to squander it

They sure did. And Obviously lost that momentum and haven't regained it.

Something isn't really learned until it can be repeated and proven over time.

 

[CornHusker_635]

In the paper this morning Frost basically said he's been playing slower on purpose to protect the defense. Since the defense has been playing well he's considering speeding up. Has nothing to do with what AM wants to do, the Coach decides how fast they go. I agree it looks like LM seems to process faster.

You'd think Scotty would be trying to land a man on the moon. It's a football game. Win the Fvcking game!! I dont get why we say these things every Monday and Tuesday. This man is getting paid a salary of a fortune 500 CEO....figure it out!

 

[TruHusker]

Here is a very simple phrase for a complex problem.

Most people believe and spout this off: "practice makes perfect."

Absolutely NOT. "Perfect practice makes perfect."

The same mistakes we are seeing in games are being made in practice and not corrected. That is coaching in a nutshell.

 

[Husker4real_rivals373787]

If I’m following, we actually have 3 or 4 “Core Issues”. That’s kind of a problem.

I’ll add that we have not been to a bowl game in 3 years. Maybe missing those bowl practices has contributed to our slow starts each year under Frost.

The good news is we are already bowl eligible. So let the young guys play!

 

[TheBeav815]

The core issue is they're soft and stupid at too many positions, and they don't have anyone better to put in if they bench a guy for being soft or stupid.

Watch how the OL just gets beaten on run blocks when they try to give to Mills. That's soft. Just a step slow, lack of nasty, I don't know what to do or I don't wanna do it that bad or both.

We keep putting screw-ups out there on the field and making the same dumb mistakes while other programs can look brand new in year one of a new coach without any major change in talent. It absolutely baffles me.

 

[TruHusker]

Here is a very simple phrase for a complex problem.

Most people believe and spout this off: "practice makes perfect."

Absolutely NOT. "Perfect practice makes perfect."

The same mistakes we are seeing in games are being made in practice and not corrected. That is coaching in a nutshell.

 

[egaRdeR]

Here is a very simple phrase for a complex problem.

Most people believe and spout this off: "practice makes perfect."

Absolutely NOT. "Perfect practice makes perfect."

The same mistakes we are seeing in games are being made in practice and not corrected. That is coaching in a nutshell.

If only that was always true. There are guys that practice perfect then **** the bed in a game. Likewise there are guys that don't practice perfect, but play lights out.

Not saying we aren't practicing like we should, but perfect practice is no guarantee to perfect games.

 

[Mack In Motion]

In the paper this morning Frost basically said he's been playing slower on purpose to protect the defense.

Coaches say things like that all the time at this level in order to protect their players.

It might not be in the job description but it's part of the job.

 

[Redscarlet]

If I’m following, we actually have 3 or 4 “Core Issues”.

I’ll add that we have not been to a bowl game in 3 years. Maybe missing those bowl practices has contributed to our slow starts each year under Frost.

The good news is we are already bowl eligible. So let the young guys play!

There won’t be enough bowl games to get in and play this year...

 

[Mack In Motion]

This has nothing to do with the AAC. You can't compare conferences. If you want to than you also have to compare the amount of money and resources you get from your conference. It's all D1 football and its all about W and L's.

That is correct.

NW is an average team, at best. Decent, hard nosed defense and ONE good player on offense.

It's year 3.

The first step to rising out of the mud is to start putting the mediocre teams -- NW, Iowa, etc -- on ice early.

Haven't done that in forever. Always a dogfight with them until the end, and we eventually blow our own head off with penalties, turnovers, and lack of executing football basics.