Third Time’s A Charm?
3 comments so far
March 13, 2008 by
The Big Red Network is entering its third year and for the third time I’m going to make my Spring plea to the coaching staff – make the Spring Game a top unit versus top unit contest. Under Bill Callahan, the Spring game seemed like a meaningless exhibition to showcase his offense for recruits. What does it tell you when your top unit outplays your second unit? Not a blessed thing.
Injuries and discipline mean that there will be some real depth concerns for the team. Anthony Blue, a potential starter at corner is out and Ndamukong Suh, a sure starter at nose tackle is out. And additional players face discipline (guard Andy Christensen as well as possibly offensive tackle Mike Smith and defensive tackle Ben Martin). But why wouldn’t you want to provide the stiffest test possible to your starters in order to prepare them for a season where they will face a number of imposing starting units.
Coach Osborne credited top unit scrimmaging which much of the success his team enjoyed in the 1990’s. Former Miami Hurricane and Dallas Cowboy coach Jimmy Johnson was a believer in it as well. I don’t buy into the idea you need to build the confidence of your starters, by ensuring a successful final spring outing. Besides, the Huskers three home dates against Western Michigan, San Jose State, and New Mexico State should provide ample opportunity to gain confidence against inferior competition.
And of course selfishly, a top-unit scrimmage will be a lot more entertaining for fans. Let’s see how well NU’s best eleven defenders do against Marlon Lucky. How might Joe Ganz respond if the defensive front gets to him that much sooner? When the second units face off, who’s going to stand out?
The Omaha World-Herald reported that thist year's final scrimmage will include "some" first-team face-offs, but it's unclear what that means. A series? A half? Let's hope is substantial, because as fans it's a lot more interesting.
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Tyler Mar 13 08
The confidence reason is a farce. If their confidence is that shaky, they won't make it through the season. I'll tell you what I'm looking for. The battle between Pat Witt and Zac Lee. I really want to see who's going to emerge as our next QB.
On the flip side, my stomach did turn last year seeing M Lucky and L Murtha go down during the game.
That's just football though.
Just pray before the game and eat a Wimmer's hot dog for good measure.
doombob Mar 13 08
You can never know when something nerve wracking is about to happen. I mean Kenny Wilson broke his leg lifting a TV with a friend. No sense in trying to avoid life. Stuff happens.
Greg Morrow Mar 14 08
However the spring game's format, (I liked 1-4's versus 2-3's) I'd suppose scrimages could yield some intense competition. This being the "gettin' to know ya" year"!
Everybody has things to prove to everybody else. Talent and desire from the players, to credibility (also desire) of the coaches.
Something that many people complained about and rightfully so, was a lack of a discernable identity of the team. Along with fundamentals and system proficiency, look for Bo stamp press his identity on these Cornhuskers.