Iowa State Post-Mortem
13 comments so far
October 26, 2009 by
What is there to break down when looking at the Huskers on Saturday? Nothing but the eight turnovers. It was like a bad three stooges scene that lasted for 60 minutes. This broken record is starting to drive me a bit crazy, and it probably should be driving the offensive coaches crazy right now (the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results). I have seen the same problems over and over again, and I'm so sick of it, that I'm starting to become a little complacent.
Ok, yeah, so I'm not a classy Husker fan anymore. I'm just like everyone else. I just want to see results on the field. This is not entirely true. Coach Bo Pelini had two comments that perturbed me just as much as Bill Callahan's used to. There was a lot of lip service then, and I hope this is the last I see of it now. Coach Pelini said after the game that Zac Lee was the least of their problems, and I disagree. He is just as major a problem as anything else on the offense right now. Young players need a leader to rally around, and all I've seen is players like Ndamukong Suh try to pump up Lee and his offensive teammates. This should not happen.
Coach Pelini said that injuries have not affected Roy Helu Jr's ability to run the football. I also disagree with this because when he appeared to be 100%, he didn't fumble it like this. So by deductive reasoning, it's got to be because of the injuries. Coach Pelini's habit of dodging questions with brushoffs and one-liners is not going to make anyone very happy when we want real answers for what's happening, not just the "it's my fault" type of stuff. He seems to be going in the complete opposite direction of saying "excellent in all areas" but with the same result of making fans angry.
But what was most strange was what the coaches appeared to do on the field. When one of the juniors or seniors make a mistake on offense, they get a seemingly unlimited number of free passes, but a freshman makes a mistake? Gone. You don't get to be anywhere near the ball anymore. Something not working? We'll keep running that play because we think we can impose our will with this play that we've executed really well in practice. Didn't we say that we take what opposing defenses give us? I have yet to really see it in Big 12 play (or Virginia Tech) except for one quarter (4th Q against MU).
Bo Pelini is the HEAD coach, not just the defensive coach. He's got to learn how to make the WHOLE team do what it needs to do in order to win ball games. Ok so I'm just a blogger who really doesn't know anything about football, and Bo doesn't answer to me. So what? You don't need experience driving on the NASCAR circuit to realize that a car crashing into the wall is probably not a good thing. So what if I can't tell you the speeds you should be going or how close to pass another car, I at least know not to point the front end right at the wall.
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cvldfg Oct 26 09
Any wishful thinking of a 1-2 loss season is over. While I don't want to put all the blame on Zac, he reminds of A-Rod. While his numbers look better than average, what are his numbers at crunch time? Or, when the team really needed him to step up and be the leader, he seemed to shrivel up. Some guys are practice greats, while others are game day guys. Sorry, but Zac seems to be the guy tearing it up in practice.
DJ Oct 26 09
A-Rod is totally on a different level. Compare Lee to that Crompton kid. Man, they could have just redshirted Green, just a waste of a year.
I noticed that benching after mistake for the younger guys too. Niles Paul seems to make a lot of them and get away with it.
Where was Khiry Cooper on Saturday? I didn't see him in pads Saturday.
Is Coach Cotton getting along with Coach Watson?
I would like to see Mr. Green start against Baylor in his home state. It made me think back when Tommie Frazier went down to the Orange Bowl and started against Florida State in the '93 Championship Game in his home state. Played pretty well in that game.
tom Oct 26 09
One of the most concerning things that I actually saw about Zac Lee was how completely pumped he was after scoring touchdowns against Missouri. It was like the guy was a maniac. It's great to celebrate and have some fun, but if you get that high up when things are going well, how far down does your emotion run when you're doing poorly?
PSW Oct 26 09
Zac Lee reminds me of Sam Keller. Good practice guy but not a gamer and not a leader. Somehow Watson likes these guys through thick and thin. Sometimes the intangibles win games not how a guy 'grades' out on a chart. Helu doesn't fumble. Till now. There is something wrong and the coaches trotting him out there need to have there heads examined.
8 TO's is indicative of other underlying problems, some seen and some not seen. It has been other issues in the past losses that tells the whole story. Mental lapses, penalties at critical junctures, special team breakdowns, dropped passes, red zone collapses. All of these are red flags that are indicative of more than just a young football team. Ultimately this falls to the coaching staff and I am beginning to wonder what is exactly happening behind the curtain...
throw46 Oct 26 09
This is nothing new with Lee.
This is exactly the same thing he's done throughout his career in HS and Junior college. I've stated previously that he's a good athlete, but he's not a runner. He had -9 yards of total rushing in Junior college. While his passing stats were great, EVERY qb @ CCSF (City College) has similar numbers. They are the most D-I stacked team in the country.
Tom.....Lee is one cocky guy, and again this is par for the course. I'd add have you seen him take the blame on any poor performance, deserved or not? He simply is not a leader and attempting to follow in his fathers footsteps with the exception of not ultimately being a backup.
One thing is pretty different though, his father former NFL qb Bob Lee isn't the force that is giving him endless opportunities anymore, and for that I'm thankful.
kw Oct 26 09
Technically, Nebraska is undefeated. Because the three games we've lost, we beat ourselves! Something has to change. I can't blame Lee for the loss, but you're right...something has to change. This team needs a spark. A fresh start. Maybe it's time to look towards 'Green-er' pastures.
Marc Oct 26 09
The last two losses have made me sick... and our offense looks terrible. BUT, I think us die hard fans need to relax. Especially when you start comparing Pelini to Callahan. After a tough loss, it's like you reverted back to childhood and threw a tantrum. It's a little disgusting how quickly we begin to question the coaches we've rallied behind for the past few wins just because there are some issues with a VERY inexperienced offense. I think we need to realize that we're having delusions of grandeur a little too soon. Look at how quickly our defense got turned around. I have 100% faith in this coaching staff to do the same with the offense... but don't expect it so quickly.
The negativity and backlash that comes from us Husker fans when there is a loss is enough in itself to keep demoralizing these players that may come across this stuff online. The season isn't over... and all of this whining coming from armchair coaches is making my head hurt.
I will choose to be the loyal, realistic fan and not the delusional one.
Go Big Red!
tom Oct 26 09
I disagree. "Us die hard fans" are way too relaxed right now. Losing is supposed to hurt and make you angry. Delusion is thinking that this team is somehow OK or will be OK on offense with the same pieces in place. If you read my post-mortem articles this year, you will have noticed a pattern in that the mistakes are the same every week.
You say people are negative, I say we're being analytical and critical. I'll be nervous about this team every time they take the field for the rest of the year. At least last year, you got the feeling that they would beat the teams they were supposed to defeat. But this year, who knows? If you can't beat Iowa State (no matter how good they could be this year), every game looks like a monster challenge.
Bill in Iowa Oct 26 09
Does anyone here remember the movie "The Natural"? About a major league baseball team that was plagued w/ bonehead plays and flops that would always end in defeat. The team was jinxed so bad that they had a pre-game hypnotist try to influence their psyche that they actually were winners. Robert Redford's character, the forgotten star who is beyond his years, ultimately becomes the leader who helps the team believe again and win again. Dropping balls, fumbling, passing behind players and over their heads, jumping offsides--all of it--is in the mind. Winners have to believe, they have to focus, they have to have confidence without hessitation, they have to remain positive, even when circumstances dictate otherwise. Coaches can find great athletes, can coach great technique, they can implement brilliant schemes, but if they do not install a mindset in their players, everything else breaks down. I am not talking about generic motivation, I am talking about specific attitudes that carryover into a players performance. We have seen this mindset taking shape on defense, now Pelini needs to take note that his offensive players do not have the same mindset as the defensive unit. He needs to make certain that his attention is equally placed on his offensive players and get them equally as focused in, playing with perfection, playing hard on every down, and consistent as the defense.
jess Oct 27 09
All I keep hearing is pelini saying we need a spark someone to step it up, yet they play the same people over and over again, you just lost to Iowa St, what is it going to hurt to start Green or even let him play for a series even? They've already burned his redshirt so basically this is going to be a wasted year, and if they are this hardnosed this year that means most likely Zac will start next year also which means you cut your seemingly more athletic more competent athlete to two years of playing time! Im not saying he will be the almighty savior but after three quarters of no emotion, drive, or performance from your starting QB, when do you finally say okay take your shot? Its like our coaches are in denial about Lee not being that great when the game is on the line! Take Texas Tech for example, Lee stinks it up all game, with winding down time in the fourth he is still moping to the line not getting players where they need to be, Green comes in hussles everyone to the line snaps the ball steps "INTO" the pocket and makes throws, this leads to a touchdown! To me that is what is called a "spark"
Huskerlouie Oct 27 09
I have the answer. Go back to ones against ones and I guarantee the offense will toughen up. If the offense could move the ball with some consistency against the blackshirts, they sure as heck could move it against any team in the big twelve. Check it out, I just about guarantee there is no one on ones in practice. T.O. used to do it once in a while maybe more. Then again maybe they're already practicing this way in which case God help my beloved Huskers.
Scott Oct 27 09
There are a lot bigger problems than Zac Lee on this team. Watch the game and figure it out yourself. Zac Lee did plenty to get this team a win this weekend which is more than I can say for a lot of other positions.
Cody Green is not going to do any better if you put him in. He'll throw more picks and I guarantee he'll have a run first attitude.
This NU defense is not as good as advertised. They don't create turnovers like ISU did. No stripping of the ball was evident anywhere on that field. They gave up the big plays and are not getting the turnovers. This is a 6-6 or 7-5 team at best. Get used to it.
sg1526 Nov 04 09
What is the real problem with the offense ie. Quarterback? (not enough protection-complicated scheme-poor route running by receivers-ability/skill of QB's for system) Receivers? (blocking-catching-route running-mental toughness- Watson? (effective scheme-too complicated-too single minded on his part) Barney Cotton? (offensive line personnel ability/skill-Barney's ability/skill-where has he ever "excelled" in previous jobs) Pellini???