Hello everybody thanks for taking the time to visit my blog. A lot of exciting stuff happening in Husker Nation this past week but before I get to that I need to thank my wife, she has been working around the clock getting my website up and running and I think she did an amazing job. I am a computer reject and without her I wouldn’t be able to get online.

Let’s just jump right in, Tom Osborne, new A.D. for the Huskers, hell yeah!! Doesn’t this just get your juices flowing, knowing that the “Man” is back at Memorial Stadium? Let’s make sure he is never again separated from the program like he was over the last 4 years. It was very difficult for me these last few years seeing some of the things that were happening to this storied program. Isn’t it amazing the way that one person can instantly start to heal a wounded nation. As soon as Coach accepted the job, the program was immediately restored with integrity and honesty. I know that Coach is going to do the best he can to make sure this family is never broken up again.

Speaking of family lets talk about the current state of the team, they're struggling. This is a team that has no identity, each weekend I sit down and I try to figure out what this team does best, each weekend I have no answers. They can’t run the ball, their pass game is way too inconsistent and the one that bothers me the most is they can’t play defense. Maybe I shouldn’t say they can’t play defense but rather haven’t shown they can. I truly believe they have enough talent to be competitive but they struggle to put it together. The biggest problem I have with this team is the lack of being physical.

Nebraska teams may not have always been the most talented team on the field but they were always the most physical. Being physical isn’t something that you can just turn on, it is a characteristic that is developed and that process begins and ends in practice. It was shocking for me to learn that our current team only practiced in full pads a few times in training camp and then not again till after the USC game. Trust me this played a huge role in us getting tossed around like rag dolls over the course of this game.

When I played for Nebraska the games were the easy part, practice was the time when your toughness was tested. We would do “live” drills the entire practice, two days a week. This included one-on-one blocking, inside run station, goal-line and a team station. When we walked into the stadium on Saturday, anything they tried to do felt like they were running it in slow motion. The games are NOT won on Saturday but rather during the week.

Another glaring problem has been the lack of emotion by our players. Coach McBride always used to tell us, playing defense is 80% emotion and 20% technique. Defenders need to pin their ears back and fly. You have to play with a controlled rage, 11 hats to the ball, swarming like a pack of rabid dogs. Defense isn’t that complicated, the ball is snapped and you get there as fast as you can.

We need to get a better effort out of the 11 guys we used to call Blackshirts. I was satisfied to see that this past week our guys handed over their Blackshirts. Those practice jerseys aren’t something that you get to wear just because you’re the starter, there is a standard of excellence that goes with the name Blackshirt. This past weekend I saw something, that made me sick to my stomach, and that was repeated defenders jogging after Oklahoma State ball carriers. This is not acceptable. There is one thing out on that football field that each individual has complete control over and that’s your effort. You don’t have to be talented to try hard and put forth maximum effort. I can deal with getting beat but I can’t and won’t tolerate guys loafing. It was difficult for myself and most of my ’97 teammates to watch this lack of effort on Saturday.

This team needs to regroup and start to realize that when they put on those Nebraska jerseys that they're not just playing for themselves but rather for all of the guys who have come before them. They need to play for each other; they need to play for the coaches, for the fans, for all the towns across Nebraska and for anyone who considers themselves a Husker. They have an opportunity this weekend to go into Memorial Stadium and prove their worthy of wearing that red jersey.

I know Coach Osborne has been attending practice the last few days and has had a couple opportunities to talk to the current team, don’t be surprised to see a significant difference in total team effort. The man can have this kind of effect on people in such little time. For someone to say that this recent hiring is a distraction for the team obviously doesn’t know what this man is all about. These kids will sense all the great qualities in this man within 5 minutes of him talking and if their looking for a reason to play hard, they just got one.

Texas A&M is a school that has their own share of problems, this is probably the last game that I think we won’t be a major underdog. They are going to do what they do best and that’s run the ball. Until we prove we can stop the run everybody is going to try and pound the ball down our throats. They have a Thunder and Lightning approach with their running game, using backs Lane and Goodsen. Javorski Lane is 270lbs before breakfast and he won’t go down if we use our special one arm tackling technique. They will run option, so everybody needs to make sure they know their responsibilities.

Offensively let’s get the young pup going early. Give the ball to Castille; he needs to be our featured back. I thought he did a good job in the Okie State game and he adds the dimension of football to our team that we need, that’s power football. Let’s get back to what Nebraska has always done best and that’s pound the ball. Once we get the run game established then you can start letting Keller get involved.

Speaking of Keller, thank God that this kid chose Nebraska. Without him I’m not sure we would have won two games. It’s a shame that a one year transfer is the leader of this team but nobody else wanted that responsibility and I think he’s done a good job given the circumstances. I pray that a few guys step up this week and try to lead this team. We need guys that will grab people by the throat if they see teammates loafing. Do not underestimate the importance of leadership, if you don’t have a leader all you have is a bunch of guys following each other in circles.

Well, that’s about it for my first entry. I wanted to take a second and thank all of my fans and really thank the state of Nebraska. This state has always been a special place for me and my family and the people of this great state have always had my back. You were with me when I was part of those great teams during the ‘90’s and you were also with me when I was battling my demons. When times are tough that’s when you truly know who your real friends are and it doesn’t shock me that most of mine are from Nebraska. Since I’ve moved back to Lincoln everybody has greeted me warmly and I am greatly appreciative. Feel free to comment on this blog and if you have certain topics you’d like to hear about, let me know. Check back in a few days for a new entry.

Later. JP “Double Nickel”
www.jasonpeter.com