Almost
I believe the Texas game was the best performance we have seen all year out of the Huskers. The final score was obviously very disappointing but as far as overall effort and execution, I thought it was the best game we have played thus far. The game plan for the first three quarters was very solid and there was a substantial increase in the level of intensity. I always say on my radio show that I can deal with loosing as long as the effort and intensity is visible and as long as we are competing. We were competing yesterday. By no means do I believe we played a great game but I also don’t believe we played a terrible game. A lot of good things happened and some bad things happened.
Offensively we came out and had good balance in our running game. We were hitting holes in between the tackles and occasionally we would try to get to the edge. Prior to this game everything we were doing was outside run, it was too predictable. I said last week that I wanted to see more of Castille and that didn’t happen, too many times yesterday we got tackled for no gain or minus yards, and those plays absolutely kill your offense. You have to convert 3 and 1, period! The Fat Guys up front did a decent job in the first half but Texas’ front seven dominated in the second. I thought we got a little conservative in the second half with the play calling and instead of delivering the knock out punch we were just trying to hold on with our 17 points. You have to finish a team like Texas when you have them on the ropes. I thought Keller did what he’s supposed to do and that’s managing the game. The offense took advantage of the Texas safeties that were cheating a little too much on run support and our receivers made some big plays. What it ultimately comes down to is scoring more points than your opponent and we failed to do that.
Defensively,” you live by the sword, you die by the sword”. It was a good game plan, in my opinion. I don’t care who you play, you have to get pressure on the quarterback. Since we can’t get to the quarterback with just the front four, we have to bring additional pressure; it’s the only way at this point. We were in McCoy’s face most of the day and I thought we got some really good shots on him. I liked the way we put 6, 7, 8 guys on the line of scrimmage and said you’re going have to beat us with your arm. Unfortunately that didn't happen, the downside of putting all those men on the line of scrimmage is that if the running back breaks through the first line of defense there’s not much there to stop him from hitting his head on the goalpost. The disappointing thing for me was that we were hurt again with the read-option. Did we not practice defending this play during the week of practice? It has been the one play that has truly killed us this season and I was shocked it took Texas until the second half to see if we could defend it. You have to be sound assignment wise to have success against it and we obviously weren’t. Did we actually think they weren’t going to run this play? We have to get better on the edge, a few times we lost contain and it killed us. On the Charles long touchdown run our defensive end got pinned inside and there was nobody out there to defend it. When you load the box like we did, you have to be strong on the edge. So, although it was a better effort, in the end we just didn’t make enough plays.
Even though we played much better it still wasn’t enough. The team needs to get back on the practice field and work on the mistakes that were made. It’s not going to get any easier from here on out. Kansas is 8-0 and they are playing with a ton of confidence. When I was a rookie with the Carolina Panthers in 1998 we started off the season 0-8, I lost more games in the first quarter of that season then and I did my entire Nebraska career. You get to a point where all your team goals that you set at the beginning of the year are completely lost but there is still one thing that you play for and that’s PRIDE. You have to have individual pride and you have to have team pride because every time you step out on that field your reputation is on the line.
Check back in a few days for a new entry. I’ve been answering some of your questions directly but I apologize for not getting to all of them. My wife and I just moved into our new home, so we are still unpacking boxes. So many of you say “it’s great to have you back in Nebraska”, I would like to say “it’s great to be back”!
Later, JP “Double Nickel”
www.jasonpeter.com
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Hey Jason………
I love the ignorance as well as the irony of “Herbie’s” statements. Especially, “Calling yourself 'double nickel' like you've just parachuted in from the Hall of Fame is….” By the way Jason, where were you on the evening of Sept. 22 of this year? Oh that’s right, you were being inducted into the Husker Hall of Fame. (Is this guy trying to make himself look stupid?) Sounds like this guy needs an old fashioned D-Line “girthing”. (Saltzman style maybe…?)
Since Jason is not one to “toot his own horn” contrary to the belief of some, let me describe this night of honoring our Husker Greats. This was a night that was attended by some of the most highly renowned and prominent people in our state as well as some nationally recognized officials and Jason was one of the individuals being honored. His acceptance speech was one of gratitude and humility and love for his family, for his teammates, for his coaches, and for the fans in the state of Nebraska who have made our football tradition what it is. As Jason stepped down from the podium there was not a dry eye in the room.
Throughout the course of the evening you could see the sorrow in the eyes of many of the guys that spoke as we reflected back on what a Nebraska football team (family) should resemble. During many of the speeches given that night you could read between the lines and see many of the guys pleading for something to change; for someone to do something, to do anything to stop the downward spiral of our football program! Words can not describe well enough the emotional frustration felt by so many that night. To helplessly watch the one thing that we were and still are most passionate about be slowly ruined is a difficult task.
I believe this night set in motion or at least acted as a catalyst in the major changes that took place a couple weeks ago. Ironically, a very uneasy Steve Peterson was present at this event.
One last thing to comment on is that even after all that has been going on with the football program there is still no Monday practice…..UN-FREAKIN-BELIEVABLE!..........
Later,
BAM
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J.P.---thanks for your insight into the game at Texas. It seems like the Huskers really tried but I agree the coaches have to put the team in the right formations to make the proper plays.
Did it seem to you we weren't the best conditioned team in the fourth quarter?
Keep up the good analysis and welcome back to Lincoln.
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I just read we are now last in 1A in rushing defense! We did play much better but it is even more obvious we just don't have the coaching power. Too bad about about keller but Ganz looked good for the little time he had. Here is my new coaching order after watching some games this weekend. Sciano or Chris Petersen then Pelini or Gill or Urban meyer first but we can't get him. Also it is clear Watson is a better play caller than Callaboob. How about Marvin Sanders as DC? he is a quality guy.
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Hey Double Nickel,
I'm really interested in what you have to say about the coaching staff, especially Callahan's remarks that he's doing "an excellent job in all areas" and when he basically blamed the Texas loss on the players.
A lot of people are throwing a lot of names out for a coaching wish list. Any chance we could see your wish list?
Thanks for coming back to Nebraska, thanks for never losing the Husker love, and for not being afraid to tell it like it is. Take care.
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Thanks JP, Once again you seem right on. Were really glad your back and will tell it like it is.I would like to hear what you think of Bo as a head coach and who you would like to see take over if Coach Osborne makes a change.
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Well I was at least proud of the guys for their effort, it was a heck of alot better against Texas than it has been all year.
That tells me these kids actually do have some pride and that they can be motivated. But I still am not happy
with the play calling and sitting there as a fan goijg wtf just happened, how the hell can you give up
outside containment blah blah blah.
Some of these things are basic football
principles taught in midget football lol..I don't know what to say.
I don't know what to say anu y longer, but it seesm the coaches just aint getting
it done during the week or during the game.
WTF don't practice on Mondays, not at all? Pls tell me they at least watch game films, and have position meetings.
but hell that isn't enough, should be hitting and puting in next opponent schemes
at least working on fundamentals.
Thats just absurd, it isn't like the pros where you have 8 hrs, 5 days a week to prepare.
Grr, the more I hear about this approach to coaching the more it pisses me off that Peterson let outsiders come in and change our ways.
Gddm bstrd!!!
Remember when Nebraska practices were filmed and you were graded on your performance in practice JP?
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Nebraska now ranks 119 out of 119 major college football teams in rushing defense.
Sorry dead last just aint going to get it done around here lol.
That's on the coaches there.
Hey I keep hearing all this talk about
this coach and that coach being credited for the spread option ect ect.
I rember the florida st team with Charlie Ward in 92 that we played in the orange bowl n barely lost to.
Well Charlie won the heisman, and from
what I remember Charlie ward runnign that offense was one of the first
times i rember the option being run from the shotgun alomst all the time, with the pass thrown in.
well guess what, we came out in that national title game and Frazier ran charlies shotgun option and outplyed mr heisman boy.
It isn't all that new, maybe just been tweaked by coaches over the yrs.
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Holly sht, my typing skills are almost as good as our defensive skills.
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For the first time in over a month, I was really excited watching the game after half-time. The lack of in-game adjustments is infuriating.
I have heard that Callahan took over the play calls in the second half. Is that true? It would explain why when the crap hit the fan, we were anemic on offense.
Kudos to Cosgrove for finally blitzing. What in the hell took him so long? I am still sore that he let Chase Daniel carve us like a Thanksgiving turkey.
Cosgrove has his work cut out for him this week. Kansas is very balanced. We can't focus on one aspect of their offense. We will have to play solid defense across the board.
I am very proud of the players. They looked like they were leaving it all out on the field. If nothing else, we made a statement against Texas. We may not be going to a bowl game, but we are still a dangerous team.
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I have revamped my new coaches roster once again! Petersen from Boise State, Pelini, Schiano, Gill, and yes-Watson!
I don't think we can Pelini. Petersen runs the offense Osborne likes and the real good teams use various forms of it and are winning. We probably cannot realistically get Schiano either. That leaves Petersen, Gill and Watson. I'm thinking Peterson for new blood and great character,Watson because I think he is much better than we know, and Gill last simply becauase we probably need more than old school, again ,being realistic. What do you all thinl>
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Wow! Enjoy your Rolex, Jason! A wonderful gift; You definitely deserve it!! I almost had a hissy fit at 3:05 pm today when I turned my radio on and got some idiot. So I went to your site and used that link! Quickly back to radio b/c I had the wrong station. Duh! Thanks, Jason! I love what you have done and are doing for our Huskers!!!
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I love Tom. You love Tom. We all love T.O. His heart is golden and he's a spiritual man. When the season comes to an end, and his evaluation of the coaching staff comes due ... does he have the "grit" that it takes to deliver pink slips? I'd be interested in your opinion.
You're a true blessing, and thanks for coming home to roost.
Jan in Lincoln
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After watching KU this year they appear to be a very physical and determined team. They are winning games in the trenches. It is true they are confident and I don't know anyone in the KC area not expecting them to walk over us this weekend. I would really, really like to see us beat these guys. No good games or moral victories but kicking their butts so nobody can say boo about it. Then, go out and do that two more times this season, fire our coach, go to a bowl game, surprise some holier than thou Michigan-type team, get a stellar recruiting class, come back next year with a solid running game, option attack and play action pass. Dr. Osborne had the right idea, running the option was always good for a win or two each year b/c nobody could prepare against it in one week. Also, I'd like to see some discipline return to this team. I remember watching a few games in Dr. Osborne's championship years when this team went w/o a penalty the entire game or maybe just one or two. That's focus. I also remember this team being disciplined and physical win, lose or draw. Remember when opposing coaches would talk about how beat up they were the week following a game with Nebraska?
I'm curious about Watson as a head coach, he seems like a thinker like Dr. Osborne. I haven't heard his name yet and I think he's only been with the program one year. I'd like to see Bo Pelini as head coach b/c he's a bad man. He instilled toughness and probably caused the defense that year to overachieve which in large part led to our 10-3 record. Plus, he's a competitor. Anyone remember him getting in Willy Synder's face after KSU beat us in our house? Hysterical. Finally, I am curious if Turner Gil may be the total package for a good run as UNL football coach. Coach Osborne also used to have a receivers coach that would make a fine head coach. He applied w/Stanford but they said no b/c he is a Christian and lives as one. I forget his name, he went into Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
It's so refreshing to have Dr. Osborne back. It's so refreshing to hear the language he uses like family, unity and honesty. Words forgotten while Peterson and Co. turned their backs on our Cornhusker past.
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....Ron Brown, former receivers coach
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I was very proud of the teams effort. The game plan in the first half was good. I was also excited to hear that after the offense scored to make it 17 to 3 , coach Watson was telling the offense to get off their asses and support the defense. I think their needs to be more of that.
But for all the good the team did in the first half Coach Callahan let them down. Instead of going for the throat he got conservative. Which made no sense. He knew that the defense was missing guyes and with all the blitzing they were going to get tired. But what really pissed me off was after Zach Potter's interception he did not make any effort to go right at them. We should have run the same play that we scored on. Take a shot at the endzone on first down.
Though he has made some mistakes I definetly think the team is going to miss Sam Keller.He truely put out max effort in every game no matter what the score. It is a shame that his short lived Nebraska career had to end that way.
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They will miss Sam, he did a good job coming in here in such a short time and really stepped up and became the leader of this team. His play really kept us in a few of those games early in the season. I agree that after the turnover he should have taken a shot down the field. After a sudden change like that sometimes you can catch a defense off guard.
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Jason, Love your blog! It is great having you back as a big part of husker nation. The texas game as you said was the best effort put forth by the huskers this year. The second half was a little vanilla after we got up by 14. You said it, Finishing good teams is how its done not holding on with a prayer. What effect do you think the keller injury will play in the next 3 games. Will the team get behind ganz or will they fall back into the funk theywere in for a month? later 55! Go Big Red!!
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Tyler, I do think the team will rally being Ganz, they don't have any other options. The thing with Ganz is he can run, so it really opens up the play calling capabilities. We can run a lot more of the naked boots and you can sprint him out toward the boundary. It makes it a lot tougher on defenses because they always have to have an eye on the QB. With Sam back there, defenses could really pin their ears back and really pressure the quarterback, with Joe they will have to be a little more reserved because if a big lane opens up on the line of scrimmage he can tuck the ball and run. I used to hate playing the Atlanta Falcons when they had Michael Vick because you had to be so conscious about where you were in regards to you pass rush lane. If you got caught out of place for just a second, he was gone.
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MY THOUGHTS ON SAT'S GAME: THOSE KIDS PLAYED HARD, AND I AGREE JP THAT YOU HAVE APPLY THE PRESSURE FROM ANGLES AT ALL TIMES WITH THAT YOU MAY GET BURNED BUT THESE KIDS JUST RAN OUT OF GAS AT THE VERY END. I BELIEVE CONDITIONING IS THE KEY TO ANY SUCCESSFUL TEAM. YOU HAVE TO BE READY TO PLAY A NEW GAME IN THE 4TH. THAT IS HOW YOU DOMINATE, THE OFFENSE Didn't GIVE THEM ENOUGN TIME OFF THE FIELD AND THEY FIRED AT WILL AND JUST SIMPLY RAN OUT OF AMMO IN THE END. FOR THE MOST PART AS I STUDY THE CHARACTER OF THIS TEAM AND YOUNG RETURNING PLAYERS THIS IS WOULD MARK THE FIRST TIME I SAW A UNITY NOT ONLY Their PLAY BUT THEIR HEART... ONLY TIME WILL TELL HOW THEY WILL HEAL AND BOUNCE BACK...
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Yeah that was definitely part of it, running out of gas. The biggest reason is the lack of depth. We either don't have guys that are capable of coming in and giving the starters a breather for a series or we do and they're just not ready. If you run a NFL style program where your number 1's get most of the reps, well, when you need to give a guy a break there is going to be a significant drop in play with your number 2. You have to prepare everybody to play.
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First I want to thank JP for his work done on the radio. Its good to have a voice out there that gets it.
As for the game, I was amazed at how well we played early on, and if that doesn't state where the program is at, then I don't know how else to describe it. I liked the defensive effort, but they've got a ways to go and this had better be more of the usual D game plan the rest of the year.
My biggest problem was why couldn't Castille get on the field if only in the second half when we had Texas on the ropes. Our D was actually holding them to FGs. Now was the time to hit them square in the mouth with our bruiser back and see what would happen. But alas, Bill had his little sheet in hand again in the second half. When will Watson get to call an entire game? Things look better Offensively the two halves Shawn had a bigger role in calling plays.
Go Huskers! Have some faith in Tom helping to right this ship and welcome back to Nebraska Jason. Best of luck in all you do.
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Scott, your exactly right. You have Texas just barely holding on, why in the world wouldn't you bring in your 250 pound tailback and pound the ball down their throats. Perfect opportunity to play the young pup and they refused. If that was the call with Watson in the 1st and Cally in the 2nd, what a shame. I know it happened in the A&M game and we know how that turned out. Anyway I appreciate you hanging around on the website.
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Just revamped my coaching list---again! Petersen (boise state), Schiano, Watson, Gill. What do you all think? Callahan still cannot get his comments about anything Nebraska or Osborne to sound like he has any respect or acknowledge what we are all about. he will never get it. I hope TO does not get too mushy about Callafraud if our kids win a couple at the end.
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Barney, u don't have anything to fear about Dr. Tom's wisdom. Callahan's comments referred to on THE SPREAD today made himself transparent. Disgusting IMO
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JP Great analysis. Got a question for you. Where would an average fan like myself go to learn more about the X's and O's of football? I have a basic understanding of football, but I love learning about the game, and wondered if you would have any suggestions. Thanks.
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That's a great question. When I first started coaching I went to the book store and grabbed as many football books as I could hold. Not because I didn't know anything about football, I did it because I believe you can learn something from anyone. I wanted to be as knowledgeable as possible in all facets of the game, whether it's Offense or Defense. You learn a lot during your playing days but you don't learn everything. A pretty good book that covers all the basics is Howie Longs "Football for Dummies". He covers pretty much all the basics so that you can really understand what is happening out on the field.
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Jason, could you kindly ship a copy of that book to Coz? I think he could use some help!
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Thanks JP I'll check it out. BTW great radio show yesterday.
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Anybody heard anything about any new coach prospects? My roster is still boise states Petersen, Schiano, Watson, Gill. Just fun to dream about what could be, right?
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Yeah, you can dream all you want because there isn't going to be any movement till the end of the season. Can tell you right now, Shiano is waiting for the Penn State job to open.
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Hey Jason, Just wanted to say we love to listen to you on the Spread!! So passionate for Nebraska Football. Also it is great to have you back with us!!! We need you Man...
God Bless You and your new Wife.
Linda Crawford
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Jason, What type of coach do you envision TO hiring? You know TO better than most of us bloggers do.
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I've been checking back here all day for any piece of reassurance. I guess there isn't any. Humiliating. Will be tuned into your radio program tomorrow. I never miss it. Thanks Jason!
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Jason -- Just curious if your are going to stick with media or potentially apply for a position on the next NU staff or any other coaching job?
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Karl, I coached football in CA for the last 3 years. A school called Edison in Huntington Beach, its a Division 1 school, which is the highest division in CA. It's big time high school football. I loved it, being around the kids and watching them develop as a player and person. That being said, would I be interested in coaching at UNL next year? sure I would be interested. To be the defensive line coach would interest me, it would obviously depend on who the head guy and DC were. If it was a guy who didn't like to practice in full pads I would probably pass, if it was a guy who wouldn't let me be me, I would pass. There would be a few things to take into consideration but I would be very interested. Seeing the way these guys are playing really hurts. Even if their technique is poor, they should still be playing with a lot of energy. JP
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Where does Sipple stand on whether this coaching staff should be fired or stay. If you look at his article in Sundays paper he says they are terrible. However, in todays paper he wrote an article about how hard it is for Callahan to compete.
Next I would like to sum it up for Nebraska fans. All across this state in the dusty roads and hills, in grocery stores in the small town bars these games are on the radio or on the tv. We all grow up listening to Husker football. Every one of us wishes we would get a chance to put on a helmet and play in that stadium. We feel that ones that do are lucky. The problem is that this coaching staff doesn't seem to respect that kind of tradition and I don't believe that the current players do either. They play without any emotion. Because the coaches can be crap but still the pride should come out in the player to want to do really well and I don't see that in the players on this team.
The last thing I would say is after looking at the video clip on Jason's site of Husker footage it was shocking to me how far the level of play has slipped in the last two years. Literally it seems eons ago when guys played like that.
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