TO's offense = Identity

[dm1330]

The biggest failure of Nebraska since TO has been offensive line and their development. That needs to be priority #1 for any head coach here, or anywhere else for that matter. You can have the best X's and O's and the best offensive game plan. But, with a terrible O-line you will fail every time.

The biggest failure of Nebraska since TO has been offensive line and their development. That needs to be priority #1 for any head coach here, or anywhere else for that matter. You can have the best X's and O's and the best offensive game plan. But, with a terrible O-line you will fail every time.

We used to have so many great OL from Nebraska high schools. Rarely see that anymore. Why? Are Nebraska high schools no longer coaching OL men?

 

[king_kong__]

We used to have so many great OL from Nebraska high schools. Rarely see that anymore. Why? Are Nebraska high schools no longer coaching OL men?

Nebraska kids are still playing the OL at a high level

just not for the Huskers

 

[RoryMurray]

Nebraska kids are still playing the OL at a high level

just not for the Huskers

Multiple in state OL on the team

 

[Redblood23_rivals]

The biggest failure of Nebraska since TO has been offensive line and their development. That needs to be priority #1 for any head coach here, or anywhere else for that matter. You can have the best X's and O's and the best offensive game plan. But, with a terrible O-line you will fail every time.

That's true but the development of the OL was based on an identity that was smash mouth football and wearing down defenses. All that tied into QB and IB recruiting which N can't seem to figure out.

 

[king_kong__]

Multiple in state OL on the team

I know

Hoping Geep can develop them into what we see our home state kids grow into elsewhere

 

[WHCSC]

Remember when we used to be good?
That was great.

 

[NikkiSixx]

That's true but the development of the OL was based on an identity that was smash mouth football and wearing down defenses. All that tied into QB and IB recruiting which N can't seem to figure out.

I don't think anyone has ever even really tried to model what TO did. Every swinging dickhead we have brought in, has wanted to do it, his own way.

So no, nobody has even tried to figure out the old formula, because nobody has had the balls to do it while TO is alive.

The offensive line has been an abomination since the end of the Pelini days, and it's no wonder that our record has sucked since then.

I really do think Geep is going to fix all that and end up making Rhule look good, whether he deserves it or not.

if Dana can get out of his own way and just let the kids play and call something smart, I think we could be really good this year.. but I'm not giving much credit to the OC or HC as of yet.

 

[DrBob1954]

Switzer’s comment about how brilliant Tom was was spot on. He said”he’ll beat you with his and then he could turn around and beat his own guys with yours”. Switzer recruited some of the best athletes on the planet but he wasn’t the game day coach Tom was.

We all want to run the ball but in today’s game you have to be able to find or create mismatches or numbers. We had a S&C advantage that we no longer have against even average programs. Personally I love what Dana brings to the table. I just wish he would stick with the run more. We’ll see how much of that was QB audibles last year.

Wrong again dingleberry. That quote is attributed to an opposing coach describing Paul Bear Bryant. And for clarification, the correct quote is, “could take his’n and beat your’n, then take your’n and beat beat his’n.”

 

[dinglefritz]

Wrong again dingleberry. That quote is attributed to an opposing coach describing Paul Bear Bryant. And for clarification, the correct quote is, “could take his’n and beat your’n, then take your’n and beat beat his’n.”

Well then Switzer stole the line and used it at a banquet in Omaha after TO retired.

 

[BigRedTed]

Yeah obviously not the same level... but in high school our playbook generally consisted of dive, iso, sweep and lead. Won about 80% of our games doing that even when the opponent knew it was coming. Thing of beauty

 

[RBigredMax1]

Yeah obviously not the same level... but in high school our playbook generally consisted of dive, iso, sweep and lead. Won about 80% of our games doing that even when the opponent knew it was coming. Thing of beauty

Bigredted”s coach? You guessed it:

 

[BigRedTed]

Bigredted”s coach? You guessed it:

Lol suppose I deserve that one. He was a good guy though. Passed from ALS a few years back sadly. One thing he definitely taught us: life isn't always fair...

 

[Rcnut223]

That's true but the development of the OL was based on an identity that was smash mouth football and wearing down defenses. All that tied into QB and IB recruiting which N can't seem to figure out.

In the TO era our weight and nutrition programs were among the best . Most programs have adopted these and developed better programs as a result this is an area we no longer excel in.

 

[Anon1752071136]

In the TO era our weight and nutrition programs were among the best . Most programs have adopted these and developed better programs as a result this is an area we no longer excel in.

Yes, as was our PED program. Those boys were hitting hard.

 

[SW MO Husker]

What was Bill Bellecek’ offensive identity? Or Saban’s?

 

[SW MO Husker]

I really do think Geep is going to fix all that and end up making Rhule look good, whether he deserves it or not.

So Rhule should get blame for keeping Raiola but not the credit if Geep proves to be excellent?

 

[RBigredMax1]

So Rhule should get blame for keeping Raiola but not the credit if Geep proves to be excellent?

Fair point - but Rhule deep down he was garbage and held on to him for 3 years which had a negative impact to the entire program. If Geep turns it around, and I hope he does, it’s a further indictment on the sacrifice Rhule was willing to make to keep Dylan.

 

[NikkiSixx]

So Rhule should get blame for keeping Raiola but not the credit if Geep proves to be excellent?

The problem with Matt is a consistent history of very questionable to bad decision making. I'm not saying he hasn't made some good decisions.. plenty of people are very successful in spite of themselves.. we all know people like this.. dumb as a rock, make bad calls, and somehow eek out some success. That is my take on Matt. He can be successful in spite of himself, but his history of poor decision making is there for everyone to see. If you throw enough darts at a dartboard, you're bound to get a bullseye.. but it doesn't mean you are good at darts.

PS. We are going to the playoffs this year, in spite of how Matt plays darts.

 

[Big bo fan]

Fair point - but Rhule deep down he was garbage and held on to him for 3 years which had a negative impact to the entire program. If Geep turns it around, and I hope he does, it’s a further indictment on the sacrifice Rhule was willing to make to keep Dylan.

Ya , but you would have been the first to rake Rhule over the coals if he got rid of Donnie and it cost us Dylan.

 

[o_Balfor]

What was Bill Bellecek’ offensive identity? Or Saban’s?

Intelligence. The Pat's found smart players. Pat's led the league in players with degrees by a very wide margin. Belichick also was known to not overpay vets. Saban was a details guy. There were stories about his in practice coaching. TO would be execution maybe? Lots of practice reps before you saw the field. Not sure that can still happen. For what it's worth ...

 

[inWV]

Intelligence. The Pat's found smart players. Pat's led the league in players with degrees by a very wide margin. Belichick also was known to not overpay vets. Saban was a details guy. There were stories about his in practice coaching. TO would be execution maybe? Lots of practice reps before you saw the field. Not sure that can still happen. For what it's worth ...

The rushing offense that TO developed was complex and more than just the option. He had the benefit of long tenured assistants and was able to evolve and optimize the offense over years. Because of its potency, he was always able to get the skill players he needed. That kind of long-term consistency in approach is almost impossible to achieve today. One could say Cignetti, but he too has been consistent in approach, just at lower level schools.

 

[Big bo fan]

The rushing offense that TO developed was complex and more than just the option. He had the benefit of long tenured assistants and was able to evolve and optimize the offense over years. Because of its potency, he was always able to get the skill players he needed. That kind of long-term consistency in approach is almost impossible to achieve today. One could say Cignetti, but he too has been consistent in approach, just at lower level schools.

? Cigs won a National championship at school that had zero success in football. And TO yes he won 9 games every year for ever but let’s not act like he had 94-97 success every year.