Rhule Comments on OL

Dec 4, 2007
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I think what he was saying is that he thought that they weren’t put in a position to have success.
I screamed this all season. Whipple sucked. He did nothing to help the line he only put them situations they were not capable to perform in. The first 3 drives of tge Minnesota game where they could do what they did best in they performed well. When Whip went away from the game plan they went to ****. Whipple was worthless.
 

inWV

All-Conference
Sep 22, 2007
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well coaches have done crazier things to land a recruit but I don’t think it’s a factor here.
He doesn’t keep Raiola for the less than coin flip chance of the nephew ending up on the roster, but it is a bonus. And if I want good OL and DL recruiting, having a coach with Polynesian roots doesn’t hurt.
 

dinglefritz

Heisman
Jan 14, 2011
51,424
12,839
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He doesn’t keep Raiola for the less than coin flip chance of the nephew ending up on the roster, but it is a bonus. And if I want good OL and DL recruiting, having a coach with Polynesian roots doesn’t hurt.
Has ties to Ben Scott too. Still hasn’t signed anywhere
 

king_kong_

Redshirt
Nov 3, 2021
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So when he made Raiola the OL coach, Dylan was still committed to tOSU but he is keeping just to have an opportunity to get a 5* QB to Nebraska. If a coach is this short sided, prepared to be unimpressed.
That’s the long game, fella

Raiola sucks & we don’t get his neph, he’ll be gone and quickly forgotten

Rhule can oversee the OL while the Raiola bros work the QB. At worst it’s 1.5 years in an 8 year contract and a position group he’s most comfortable working with.

At best we land the biggest recruit in the history of the program

Short sighted would be hiring a guy based on “vibe”

Rhule is very savvy. NFL PR training paying off in spades. You all need to get used to it.
 

redwine65

All-Conference
Jun 23, 2010
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did'nt frost turn the young oline into confused pass blocking turnstyles, who never really drove forward but were more about standing straight up patty cake dancing? that defenses just ran thru like a wet paper bag? thats what it looked like to me..

I can see why rhule defended them.

hopefully we can get them driving forward again, making holes for a rb...to take pressure off the qb
 

NikkiSixx_rivals269993

All-Conference
Sep 14, 2013
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These kind of things are always related.. but consider it this way.. since Donovan was already here, and if you're the new guy walking in, are you going to shoot yourself in the foot and fire the guy, or as Kong says, let it play out and see if it helps your chances?

Most people are going to choose the latter..

As to his comments on the OL, I dunno if I'm buying all that. Matt's a good talker, just keep that in mind, so you don't have to believe every word that is dished up for you by coach. It's not a sin, just part of the job.
 

dand84

All-Conference
Oct 28, 2017
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These kind of things are always related.. but consider it this way.. since Donovan was already here, and if you're the new guy walking in, are you going to shoot yourself in the foot and fire the guy, or as Kong says, let it play out and see if it helps your chances?

Most people are going to choose the latter..

As to his comments on the OL, I dunno if I'm buying all that. Matt's a good talker, just keep that in mind, so you don't have to believe every word that is dished up for you by coach. It's not a sin, just part of the job.
Maybe, being an OLine coach of a certain system and Raiola being in the same system, he believes in that system and thinks something else is broken? Maybe S&C and play calling 🤷🏻‍♂️
 
Nov 28, 2016
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I’m skeptical because I don’t think the guys last year are athletic AT ALL. Not only that, they seem lazy and have no want to.

Maybe it was scheme, but I saw a lot of whiffs on blocks during pass pro and during runs, very little putting hats on guys to open holes. Our O-line looked clueless most of the time.

I’ll shut up now and reserve judgement of any returning O-lineman until several games in next year.
 

NikkiSixx_rivals269993

All-Conference
Sep 14, 2013
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Maybe, being an OLine coach of a certain system and Raiola being in the same system, he believes in that system and thinks something else is broken? Maybe S&C and play calling 🤷🏻‍♂️
at this point, it doesn't really matter.. he has to build a team, and needs everyone rowing in the same direction.. whatever was the issue last year, is last year. He's going to be judged on the results in the future, and he'll get his time and we will know then how it all pans out.

the most memorable part (signing day speech) to me was at the very end, not wanting to forget Sam Sledge's name.. that was kind of an adorable moment, if I can use that word.
 
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dinglefritz

Heisman
Jan 14, 2011
51,424
12,839
78
These kind of things are always related.. but consider it this way.. since Donovan was already here, and if you're the new guy walking in, are you going to shoot yourself in the foot and fire the guy, or as Kong says, let it play out and see if it helps your chances?

Most people are going to choose the latter..

As to his comments on the OL, I dunno if I'm buying all that. Matt's a good talker, just keep that in mind, so you don't have to believe every word that is dished up for you by coach. not a sin, just part of the job.
In this case, Rhule didn’t have a guy from his tree to hire. Basically people are calling him a liar by doubting what he has said his reasoning was for keeping Donovan. Keeping him was very LOGICAL. Our fans think they know how to evaluate O line coaching. 99.99% of us dont. All we really know is that a couple of our guys didn’t look good last year. 99.99% of us don’t know the why of it. Rhule does.
 

NikkiSixx_rivals269993

All-Conference
Sep 14, 2013
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In this case, Rhule didn’t have a guy from his tree to hire. Basically people are calling him a liar by doubting what he has said his reasoning was for keeping Donovan. Keeping him was very LOGICAL. Our fans think they know how to evaluate O line coaching. 99.99% of us dont. All we really know is that a couple of our guys didn’t look good last year. 99.99% of us don’t know the why of it. Rhule does.
no one called him a liar, but you don't have to go dumb koolaide on the other side either.

The reality is probably somewhere in between.

If it's 'very LOGICAL' as you say, then what makes logical sense is what some of us have been saying all along.
 

Redmich

Redshirt
Jun 21, 2022
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Isn’t there an old saying that says:

Don’t kill the uncle of the golden goose

Or

Don’t bite the hand of the uncle of the golden goose


Something like that
 
Sep 29, 2001
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I think what's also important to note about Rhule retaining Raiola as OL coach is that Rhule said he interviewed multiple candidates for the job including Raiola. He said he was looking for someone who coached the OL technique he preferred to use and Raiola used that technique as well as being liked by all the OL players.

Maybe I'm wrong (we'll see next year) but I don't get the impression it was all just coach speak or about recruiting the nephew. From what I've read or heard Rhule say so far leads me to believe he does have a special passion for the OL and that is genuine. He says he gravitates to the OL and DL in practice more than the other positions and that sounds consistent to me with his other statements.
 

dinglefritz

Heisman
Jan 14, 2011
51,424
12,839
78
That’s the long game, fella

Raiola sucks & we don’t get his neph, he’ll be gone and quickly forgotten

Rhule can oversee the OL while the Raiola bros work the QB. At worst it’s 1.5 years in an 8 year contract and a position group he’s most comfortable working with.

At best we land the biggest recruit in the history of the program

Short sighted would be hiring a guy based on “vibe”

Rhule is very savvy. NFL PR training paying off in spades. You all need to get used to it.
Did you listen to his press conference? You might want to do that and pay more attention to what Rhule says. I believe Rhule and think you’re wrong on this one.
 
Aug 27, 2006
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We'll never know for sure and I wonder if he would have been retained if a certain QB was eligible to sign this year, (and signed elsewhere), instead of having a year to see what happens....I have no opinion on whether or not he should have been retained but I do know when everything else is equal, you look at the inrangibles, Riola had the biggest intangible. Props to Dingle who called this, not even our local recruiting self proclaimed expert saw that.
 

king_kong_

Redshirt
Nov 3, 2021
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Did you listen to his press conference? You might want to do that and pay more attention to what Rhule says. I believe Rhule and think you’re wrong on this one.
When you, redcap and whcsc all believe something wholesale, it gives me all the confidence in the world about my opinion

No offense

Like I said, if he is still the OL coach in 2024 and Dylan isn’t a Husker, I will send you $100
 

king_kong_

Redshirt
Nov 3, 2021
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Please look back at the history of #1 overall QBs in a class and tell me with a straight face it’s “crazy” to retain a position coach for 18 months in order to better your chances of landing that kind of talent

Wake up, folks. The naïveté in this thread would make a 4 year old blush

also - this isn’t a knock on anybody. I do believe Rhule when he says he’s most comfortable coaching the lines, which absolutely helps a guy with only 2 years of mixed results (put kindly) on the job
 

WHCSC

All-Conference
Feb 4, 2002
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Please look back at the history of #1 overall QBs in a class and tell me with a straight face it’s “crazy” to retain a position coach for 18 months in order to better your chances of landing that kind of talent

Wake up, folks. The naïveté in this thread would make a 4 year old blush
Can't it be possible that bettering our chances with Dylan was PART of the equation but not the whole thing?
 

king_kong_

Redshirt
Nov 3, 2021
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Can't it be possible that bettering our chances with Dylan was PART of the equation but not the whole thing?
Of course. A guy like Rhule who gravitates toward the lines can help Raiola out a lot, and if they already speak the same language that’s a good start

We will see in 18 months how large a part that was if Dylan doesn’t come here

Ironically, in this case I very much trust the staff
 

Redmich

Redshirt
Jun 21, 2022
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Raiola is a young inexperienced OL coach who hasn’t really made a recruiting splash.
He does, however, have an opportunity to grow into the position and become better

There is no doubt in my mind that Dylan being his nephew weighed into the decision to retain him

I think Rhule decided that given who his nephew is - Raiola is good enough and can be mentored.

Firing Raiola can only hurt the chances with Dylan (or be neutral)

Retaining Raiola can only help (or be neutral).

If we don’t get Dylan and there hasn’t been growth in his coaching I think we have a new oline coach for the 2025 season
 

NikkiSixx_rivals269993

All-Conference
Sep 14, 2013
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Can't it be possible that bettering our chances with Dylan was PART of the equation but not the whole thing?
certainly.. and that's part of what is being said..

it's absolutely an influence.. how much, is hard to quantify..

I'm inclined to believe it's a major reason.

We didn't see much improvement from the offensive line, heck we had guys just standing in their stance last year and not engaging anyone.. but let's keep the O Line coach.. hmm

If Rhule wants to sell this 'he has the same vision' type thing, it's ok by me, but I know it's really more than likely just to improve chances with the #1 qb recruit. Some things you can't come out and just say.

Likewise, some people are always going to take what 'leadership' says as gospel.. i.e. they don't want to know how the sausage is made. That's fine too. But it's a naive look at how the real world works.
 
Aug 18, 2016
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I would bet dollars to donuts, that Rhule watched game films, and saw where, in his offense, or in his OL philosophy, he would have done things differently. Or in conversations, Raiola shared what he was told to do with the OL blocking scheme as compared to what Raiola wanted to do.

I also don't believe that Rhule kept Raiola for the simple goal of getting his nephew. If your OL is going to suck, then you aren't getting the QB regardless if the OL coach is his uncle.

As was stated earlier, QB Raiola was still committed to Ohio St when OL coach Raiola was hired. Frost with Raiola couldn't land the QB, so that methodology already failed.

It will be interesting to watch what QBs for 2024 are offered in the next few weeks now that the 2023 class is almost complete.
 

king_kong_

Redshirt
Nov 3, 2021
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I would bet dollars to donuts, that Rhule watched game films, and saw where, in his offense, or in his OL philosophy, he would have done things differently. Or in conversations, Raiola shared what he was told to do with the OL blocking scheme as compared to what Raiola wanted to do.

I also don't believe that Rhule kept Raiola for the simple goal of getting his nephew. If your OL is going to suck, then you aren't getting the QB regardless if the OL coach is his uncle.

As was stated earlier, QB Raiola was still committed to Ohio St when OL coach Raiola was hired. Frost with Raiola couldn't land the QB, so that methodology already failed.

It will be interesting to watch what QBs for 2024 are offered in the next few weeks now that the 2023 class is almost complete.
frost couldn't land a canoe

if the rumors are true (they are) Dylan was committed to OSU because of frost. he's always wanted to make dad pround, and unc obviously knows this.

like @Redmich said, if you fire Don you leave no doubt
 

Husker.Wed._rivals

All-Conference
Feb 13, 2004
17,648
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We didn't see much improvement from the offensive line, heck we had guys just standing in their stance last year and not engaging anyone.. but let's keep the O Line coach.. hmm
Even though I played line from pee wee through high school I don't pretend to know anything about modern college line play. And after the last 20 years I refuse to drink the Kool Aid until I see some games. However....we have fairly highly rated linemen in the room and they have pride. I suspect the difficulties we saw this season had less to do with them being lazy and more to do with the coaching staff disfunction. So right off the bat you have Raiola wanting to make an offer to a guy Frost doesn't want indicating friction (Goldman), and Frost whining about the OC needing to be more creative (friction). Then the OC is running his "my way or the highway" vertical passing scheme with predictable running plays sprinkled in. Very little misdirection, deception, short passes, draws (that aren't totally predictable), screens to help the line out. Then rumor was Frost and Raiola had friction about blocking technique. I could see where our O-Line got so confused and had so many mixed signals that there was paralysis. Before I write Raiola off as a horrible coach only retained to get ONE RECRUIT, I'm willing to see how the line performs after a year or two of adults in charge.
 

konaki

All-Conference
Oct 18, 2002
11,599
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What I hope to see is an offensive line working as a unit, something that hasn't happened very much recently. I will say the line started to play a little better once Frost was canned not great mind you but they started to play a bit better especially the pass pro.

We are not going to start out at OSU or Michigan level in terms of line play but I do expect as the season goes on we will see a vast improvement with the play of this unit. One thing is for sure about Dylan, we have a chance to re-recruit him and having his uncle as a coach at Nebraska doesn't hurt one bit but time will tell.

By the way if you haven't watched video of our new QB transfer Sims I suggest you do. Sims is damn good, has a great arm, size, and can run I can see why the other QB from Arkansas has evidently moved on.
 

inWV

All-Conference
Sep 22, 2007
14,188
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Rhule has real experience wrt offensive line play. Discounting what he said regarding Raiola and the present Oline roster would mean I thought he was bullshitting us. Frost thought(?) he had a take on how he wanted the Oline to play and he did hire Raiola. But at the same time he was basically being demoted from his role as acting OC. So until he was canned, there were basically two chefs as far as the offense was concerned. New OL coach, new OC and the HC canned after 3 games. Injuries. The particulars of how blocking serves the rest of the play could easily get lost when the goal most of the time was to keep Thompson clean enough to throw.
 

bshirt73

Senior
Aug 31, 2014
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Rhule gave his reasons for retaining Raiola. Same approach to coaching the OL, had a good vibe with the guy. The run game will be a priority, not just something that one does between pass plays.

Holy Moly............I honestly can't imagine anything he stated that is more accurate than his post! Run the damn ball. We got to have it!
 

JOHNNY N

Heisman
Sep 24, 2003
109,994
39,220
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These kind of things are always related.. but consider it this way.. since Donovan was already here, and if you're the new guy walking in, are you going to shoot yourself in the foot and fire the guy, or as Kong says, let it play out and see if it helps your chances?

Most people are going to choose the latter..

As to his comments on the OL, I dunno if I'm buying all that. Matt's a good talker, just keep that in mind, so you don't have to believe every word that is dished up for you by coach. It's not a sin, just part of the job.
You really hate this hire. Lol.
 

NikkiSixx_rivals269993

All-Conference
Sep 14, 2013
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You really hate this hire. Lol.
not really.. I'm hoping he is successful.

It's evident some fans have already anointed him.. same thing happened with the last guy.. I'm not going to be that guy. Just looking at it from a realistic point of view and see what happens is all.

I'm hopeful that things will get turned around.. we shall see.
 

dinglefritz

Heisman
Jan 14, 2011
51,424
12,839
78
not really.. I'm hoping he is successful.

It's evident some fans have already anointed him.. same thing happened with the last guy.. I'm not going to be that guy. Just looking at it from a realistic point of view and see what happens is all.

I'm hopeful that things will get turned around.. we shall see.
Look at the linemen he and Raiola brought in ending with a P5 multi year starting center/OT. If they doesn’t inspire hope I don’t know what would.
 
Aug 26, 2022
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No real issues with our OL? Look at the video below. It focuses in on Benhart, which it should, it was almost criminal. None of the other lineman give much more effort. The guy to his left just collapses into a jelly roll. Looks like a speeded up version of a melting wicked witch. The guy on his right. Just lightly stood upright. Didn't block, just stood up. He was justifiably brutalized. I am cheering for the Illinois guy here. The center at least pretended to try (kind of, maybe) I mean he stuck his arm out but it's a good thing it wasn't an MMA fight. No. 48 on the far left on this video tried to touch someone but didnt want to be bothered to do much more than that. Yes, it's an extra point but the extra point I am making is the discouraging lack of aggression. These guys don't want to be in a fight. They don't enjoy hitting. The Illinois guys do.
No Mr. Rhule, you've got your work cut out for you.

 
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moralvictories

Sophomore
Jan 22, 2022
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at this point, it doesn't really matter.. he has to build a team, and needs everyone rowing in the same direction.. whatever was the issue last year, is last year. He's going to be judged on the results in the future, and he'll get his time and we will know then how it all pans out.

the most memorable part (signing day speech) to me was at the very end, not wanting to forget Sam Sledge's name.. that was kind of an adorable moment, if I can use that word.
Boat rowing???? That's PJ Fleck's area of expertise.
 

konaki

All-Conference
Oct 18, 2002
11,599
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at this point, it doesn't really matter.. he has to build a team, and needs everyone rowing in the same direction.. whatever was the issue last year, is last year. He's going to be judged on the results in the future, and he'll get his time and we will know then how it all pans out.

the most memorable part (signing day speech) to me was at the very end, not wanting to forget Sam Sledge's name.. that was kind of an adorable moment, if I can use that word.
Like you, I loved when he said Sam Sledge and chuckled in a loving manner. The thing that really stood out to me was when he said in a few years when College Football Playoff's will expand he stated teams would have to come to Lincoln and play in the elements (December cold) that they may not be accustom to.

You see he really is planning on this thing turning around and not in five years. Some may scoff at the idea of Nebraska making it into the CFP but don't include our new HC, he really sees a path and a plan to get there. I'm sold that Trev Alberts made the right choice and to his credit he didn't back off until he got the coach he really wanted Nebraska to have.
 

Redmich

Redshirt
Jun 21, 2022
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You see he really is planning on this thing turning around and not in five years. Some may scoff at the idea of Nebraska making it into the CFP but don't include our new HC,
After a build we damn well should expect to be in the CFP on a not infrequent basis

Getting into the top 12 and likely top 3 in the conf is not unrealistic
 
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