Blackshirts: If Not Now, When?
13 comments so far
October 13, 2009 by
Heading in to week 7 of the college football season, the Nebraska first-team defense is not wearing black practice jerseys. Is this significant? To the average fan, sure. The blackshirts are a symbol for Husker fans - they by black t-shirts and gear, "throw the bones" to represent the defense when they are cheering at the game, and generally identify with the Blackshirt Defense. Has the defense played good enough to merit black shirts? Sure. They are near the top of several categories nationally, and frankly have dictated play in NU's biggest games. Does Coach Bo Pelini care about this? Apparently not. When asked, he said he "had not thought about" handing out the coveted defensive practice gear. So, it leads me to wonder. If not now, then when?
Performance
Coach Pelini has said that the blackshirt designation will come when he feels the standard of play is high enough. Well, Coach, I wonder what the standards are. Because, on a national basis, NU is getting it done on defense.
The Huskers give up just 8 points per game. That's good enough for second in the country in scoring defense (remember, the score is the only stat that really counts...). If you are in to other stats, they rank near the top in other categories as well (#3 in pass efficiency defense, #14 in pass defense, #13 in total defense). Sure, they could be better in some key areas, such as sacks and turnovers generated. But, come on. The #2 scoring defense in the country doesn't deserve blackshirts? I find that a little hard to believe.
Just consider what they have done for a minute, in real football terms. Exclude the three Sun Belt teams for a second, even though NU shut out one of those foes. Virginia Tech got 16 points against NU, with 6 of them coming in the desperate final minute. The NU defense hammered the Hokies for 59 minutes, folks. What have the Hokies gotten since? Well, they put up 31 against Miami and hung 48 on Boston College last week. I'd hardly say they look anemic. Oh, and I'm sure any Missouri fan alive will tell you how proliffic the Tiger offense was prior to Thursday night. Blaine Gabbert threw for 400 yards a game, Danario Alexander was a big timer, etc. Well, not against NU.
Through five games, this defense is every bit as good as the 2003 unit that Pelini himself coached. It's possibly the best defense Nebraska has had since 1999. So, based on real football experience, how can the 2009 NU defensive unit not be blackshirts yet? It doesn't make sense to me.
Individual Honor?
Okay, maybe Pelini is taking the tradition in a different direction. Maybe he sees this as an individual honor and not as a whole unit thing. So, if that is the case, what in the world is going on when Ndamukong Suh doesn't have a blackshirt yet. As some commentors and many fans have said - let's just mail Suh one ourselves, personally.
If Suh isn't a Blackshirt, then who - ever, in history - is? Grant Wistrom? Barrett (all time leader in tackles) Ruud? Tom "Train Wreck" Novak? Seriously, Coach. Who is?
And it's not just Suh playing at a high level out there for Nebraska. That front four is fierce. All of them are dictating play. Prince Amukamara played nearly as a complete game at corner as I have seen in a long time. Larry Asante has really picked it up at safety. There are plenty of deserving candidates if this is an individual honor.
So, When?
We've seen the Husker performance through five games. Now, what do they have in front of them? High flying Texas Tech comes to town Saturday. There's no doubt that the Red Raider will put up some numbers and challenge the Husker defense. I find it hard to believe that the Huskers could improve - at least statistically - against Texas Tech. Maybe they will execute better, with zero blown assignments, and that will satisfy Pelini and his staff.
If not this week against Texas Tech, then when? The Husker's regular season slate will be half over by then. Does this issue linger around until after the Kansas or Baylor game? Will they not be blackshirts until they are gearing up to face the Oklahoma Sooners? I don't see how those are better windows of opportunity.
Please, Take it Seriously
I understand that coaches have motivational tactics. That's part of their profession. And, I believe that Coach Pelini genuinely "gets" Nebraska's culture and fans. So, I really hope he gets this one right. He can't answer with "I haven't thought about it" for very long before it starts to sound very, very tired. Because, frankly Coach, we're thinking about it. And whether you want to admit it or not, your players are thinking about it.
So, few things would make fans happier than black practice jerseys making an appearance at today's practice, or for Pelini to address the topic seriously in today's press conference. Because at this point, the 400 lb gorilla is wearing a blackshirt. Shouldn't the Huskers be too?
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bnahusker Oct 13 09
First off, Great post. You nailed 99% of the issue.
Secondly, there is a part of me that impressed with the way Bo has handled it up to this point. It IS about the team. I disagree with the option of individual Black Shirts.
Finally, ain't it nice that this is one of the biggest issues for the fans to worry about?!
GBR!
Bob
James Moore Oct 13 09
Darren you swung for the fences and hit it out of the park. Great article and bang on the dot. . .
Scott Oct 13 09
Great article.
I hate to say it, but I am a fan of holding out on releasing the blackshirts until after the TT game. The last thing we need now is an emotional let down coming off the huge Mizzou win. Now if we go out this weekend and take care of business - then with out question Bo needs to hand out the black jerseys. GBR!!!
Jason Oct 13 09
During today's press conference Bo was asked when he planned to hand them out.
He said something like "You'll, know after I do it. Right now it's the furthest thing from my mind."
Some brave reporter followed up with, "Are you tired of getting asked the question?" which prompted Bo's trademark, "What do you think?"
That got a laugh out of the press corps.
darren Oct 13 09
Scott,
Your concern about handing them out now (b/f the TTech game) is a very valid one.
The last thing you want is for these young men to see getting blackshirts as some sort of mental finish line, and let up just as they are about to face a very tough offense.
I'd also ask you to consider the opposite though, too. Isn't there a chance that getting black practice jerseys might fuel these players even more, sharpen their focus, and raise their expectations for themselves? I think that's possible.
It could be debated until folks run out of breath. All the more reason to get this done now, before it becomes a legit distraction.
Wil Oct 13 09
While I agree with you on a personal level that I think that the defense more than deserves the Blackshirts, after not only the Missouri game but of all their performances in the first 5 games, I am still siding with Pelini on this one.
The man is a proven motivator. He knows this team better than anyone else, and quite frankly, his is something of a genius. If the man thinks that keeping the blackshirts in the box for a week or two more is best for this team, then I think we should just shut the heck up and let the man be. He knows what he's doing, he always has, and always will, so second guessing him seems to me to not give him enough credit for doing what he has done with the defense.
I mean come on, who would have guessed that 2 years after 2007 we'd be second in the nation in scoring defense? Even I didn't expect Bo and Co. to turn it around that quickly.
mark Oct 13 09
coach Pelini has done an awsome job in every aspect of bringing husker nation back. Why should we second guess him about the black jerseys.
Im behind coach 100 percent of the way. After all most of us are arm chair quarter backs that only see the surface and not what goes on the other six days of the week.
Still a husker faithful and huge blackshirt fan.
WyHuskerFan Oct 13 09
I agree that wearing that jersey carries a certain amount of pride and swagger that make you want to play just a little harder. I see it in my youth team when I hand out helmet stickers. All the other kids see them and want one and it relates directly to their effort on the field. An exclusive club you want to be part of. It's the same for the this team.
GBR!
Greg Morrow Oct 13 09
Ok, then. What've they been wearing, "Mauve"?
Pelini's clear- (ambiguously) the unit has to play to his standards and Nebraska's historically.
So, when they finally do, he'll remind himself to pull 'em out of the laundry basket.
I don't think he's said much to the players about it, either. The silence would speak volumes.
In an endeavor that requires SUCH motivation, you've got to let yourself be willing to get "messed with" a little bit. Which is why even cheesy schtick often works, when you've already won your respect and credibility.
I know, though. Nothing cheesy about this.
If it actually works (whatever he's doing) it's causing his kids to have an idealism, a focal point to explore and attain to what the meaning...really means.
Mike Oct 13 09
Darren - Great article, I have to think that a win against Texas Tech would be the ideal time to pump up the players and the fans for the rest of the season.
PSW Oct 14 09
I'm with you Darren. Give them the Blackshirts already. They have more than earned it.
sean Oct 14 09
We as Nebraska fans are missing the mark here. Dillard said the other day that the players didn't see it as a big deal. That's because under C&C it(being awarded a blackshirt) wasn't! I say let Bo bring them back when he feels his team will benefit the most from it. That may not even come this year, but when it does, watch out!
eric Oct 16 09
I actually like the carrot and stick approach. I say hold off until before the OU game.