It's a start
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
Good to see you posting Jason. Just one comment (not about what you said, but how you said it) - go for a few line breaks
Separate a few of your ideas into paragraphs, because right now, this is really hard to read.
Look forward to seeing all you have to say!
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Thanks for all the suggestions, I made a few needed updates.. All the bests, Sarah Peter
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You might also want to change from the white letters on black background. Although I am guessing Jason loves the color scheme. It looks good, just hard to read.
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Jason...Thanks, I love the insights you provide and Sarah, the changes make things easy to read! GBR!!!!
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Actually, opthamologists have proven that reverse text is more difficult to read and that's why this color scheme is hard to read.
Jason--my husband loves listening to your radio show and we both love your insight. Every night I ask him, what did Jason say today? keep it up!
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Good shit 55. We do need to get more physical out there no doubt about it!
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well put
Lar
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Hey Double Nickel I am glad to see you got a blog going now because people really want to hear what you have to say man. You have become a mouth piece for the Black Shirts of old. Keep up the good work both on the radio and the web.
I hope you seen the Big Red Rock video to Paint It Black by the Rolling Stones on Youtube.com. You are a lucky man to have such a supportive wife as Sarah.
Just as I wrote to Steve Sipple in response to his article about you joining espn 1480 I would have to say that you are always welcome here by the true fans. Regardless of if you are on the field in uniform or off the field as a former player any true Husker fan wants to see any player succeed at what they do. You root for your team both on and off the field even after they have long left the program.
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Jason,
You are doing a great job conveying the feeling of the Husker Nation.
Keep it up.
David Max
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Could not agree more and thanks for your leadership during these past few weeks. Go Big Red!
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Jason that is true this team needs to wake up show that they can play like the real nebraska teams thanks and i wish we had 11 guys like u on the team this year thanks for the hard work and the effort you put in at Nebraska you are one heck of a guy. Keith
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Thanks for sharing your thoughts. We're just as glad to have you back around the program as we are to have TO.
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Jason welcome home bruther!!!
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Great first time out! Your points on a lack of intensity are right on, and I think you should know a thing or two about playing with intensity! I think it's great that you are back in nebraska, and you know that everyone here supports you 100%! Keep up the great work and I can't wait to hear more from you! GO BIG RED!
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Great points, Jason -- I fully agree. You can take your frustration out on Taylor, your bro-in-law, whenever you want.
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I appreciate your comments. It has been frustrating these past weeks and we finally have someone that is able to put into words thoughts that a lot of us have. I appreciate Tom returning as he has re-generated me and I am sure many other "Husker" fans.
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You weren't the only one that almost crapped a brick after finding out that our boys don't practice with full pads. I was literally baffled.
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Nice work 55. As an NU graduate of 99, it is a crying shame to see the lack of emotion and hustle these guys play with. I agree the talent is there, but the "want" is not. I also get disgusted by guys like Ruud and Cory throwing up the bones on a 3 and out in the 3rd quarter when we are down 38-0. The Bones are not to be thrown in those situations.
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Dude... you had enough in your first entry to last you a week's worth of posts!
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Welcome back to Lincoln and welcome back from the grip of your demons. Redemption can be found everywhere.
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Awesome first entry man, thanks for sharing. I'll be cheering from down here in South Carolina tomorrow.
I'd love to hear more about how practices were run. How the 4 stations, 32 plays each were run. How you were coached to trust in the guy next to you to do his job so you would only have to worry about doing your job. How things were in the locker room before games. Things Coach told you before games, practices. After games/practices and during halftime. When he got angry with you, what did he do? Who were the good cops/bad cops on the staff? Tell me all man, I'd love to hear everything.
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Jason, I am a native Nebraskan who has spent my entire adult life away from Nebraska as a member of the United States Navy. There are two things that are my greatest source of pride. I am a Cornhusker and I am a United States Navy Sailor.
Thanks for your candid comments and I couldn't agree more. I do not believe that the current coaching staff has any idea what Nebraska football really is all about.
Keep calling it like you see it!
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Yea, what Levi Said!
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Jason
Great words, We have nobody besides
maybe Keller that has the heart that
you had(have). We need you as a D
Coordinator. It was great hearing
a Champions voice on this Matter.
Thanks
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I agree with most of your assessment, however, I do not agree that Keller is the only QB we have. Gantz wants the job and should have been given some opportunities to show his stuff, especially with Kellers lack luster performance last week.
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JP,
Loved the read!! I agree with everything. I don't mind losing but giving no effort is unacceptable. Congrats on your success. Keep up the good work and fight the battles.
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I love your passion for NU football. It'll be great seeing you and other former Huskers getting involved with this team once again. Keep up the posts. M
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That was a very good read. I'm glad to know I'm not the only one seeing what I seeing and thinkning what I'm thinking. Talent can only get you so far as we have seen.You win games with the strength and toughness that's between your ears and in your chest.
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Jason, I heard from a former Husker staff member that the 97' team was not treated all that well last weekend, and that TO was angry to say the least. Is this true? and if so how sweet is it to see TO now have BC's future in his hands?
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Jason -- thank you for making it through your struggle on behalf of your fans and supporters, yourself and your family.
Thank you for returning to Husker Nation to speak out.
Thomas
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Jason, you ever thought about getting into coaching? I know you were coached by the best and that obviously has rubbed off onto you. What this program needs are former players, like yourself, who have the heart, fire and will of true Nebraska football to lead this team back to prominence and I think it's something that will happen.
Go Big Red!!
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Jason, glad to have you back around. I think everyone out there already feels better, just because of Dr. Tom. Won't be long before these dark times are over. I like your "no holds barred" style and your intensity. Btw, you have any eligibility left??
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Amen, brother. Good to have you back in the saddle.
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Double Nickel,
Your comments are great and I think you are exactly right on the the head with coach being in Lincoln again. I am also glad to see that you previous players are welcome again and that TO has made the University put back up the ALL AMERICAN pictures. Why they were taken down in the first place is a crock of you know what.
Anyway to get the pit back open again?
These current boys and I say boys need some leadership and someone to fire them up and stay fired up.
GO HUSKERS YOU NEED TO DOMINATE.
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55 Thank you for all the memories that you have given the Husker nation. I had a hard time this last 4yrs that the traditon of Big Red was being torn down. Everyone kept asking what is missing well now we know. Go Bless you and your family. HuskerFanFromMO
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