Signing Day
Today was a big day for Nebraska Football. It was National Signing Day and some twenty plus high school seniors made a commitment to play football for the University of Nebraska. Congratulations to all of them, I'm glad they all made the decision to spend the next 4-5 years of their life in Lincoln. They have the opportunity to attend a great school and to really challenge themselves on the football field. That being said, I'd rather not hear any of their names again until they arrive on campus in August. If any of you listen to my radio show you know that recruiting is not my favorite topic to talk about. I believe there is too much hype and too many expectations laid upon these kids that have never stepped foot on a college field. A lot of these kids arrive on campus and they've already been labeled the savior of Nebraska Football. Imagine that pressure when you were just 17 or 18 years old. The truth about recruiting is that most kids won't be a success on the football field, some of them will turn out to be All-Americans, some will become All-Conference players, some will be a starter for their senior year but most will never contribute in a major role.
In Coach Pelini's press conference today I loved the fact that he didn't talk about each recruit individually. I have to imagine a reason for this is because he doesn't want to add to the hype that already follows each kid. Again too much is being made of these kids that haven't played a down. If he's going to talk about them as individuals then maybe first they have to get on that field and prove that they can play with the big boys, after all this isn't high school anymore. It also says that the team mentality comes first. Nebraska isn't about playing for yourself, it's about winning championships and to do that it will take more than just one player. Coach Pelini talked about the stock that he and his staff put into the star system, for those of you who didn't hear the press conference, his response was "none". The grading system by which all recruiting guru's live their life by means nothing inside Memorial Stadium. Bo and his staff went out and found a group of kids that they thought could play football. I saw one of the kids on TV last night and he was talking about how he's part of the team now, I couldn't help myself, I had to laugh. Maybe things are different now but when I played it took more than signing your name on a piece of paper to be part of the team. You had to earn a spot on teams that I played on, you had to show up for training camp and battle your ass off and earn your teammates respect before you considered yourself a member of the team. Anyway I've spent to much time talking about recruiting already, I'm glad the staff is satisfied with the group of kids they selected and I can't wait to see how they develop over the years. One last thing on the press conference, I thought it was great that the majority of the conference was talking about the walk on program. I've stressed to all of you before the importance of that walk on program and I was glad to see some 30 players will be coming to Lincoln to live the dream, or at least try to. It's the heart and soul of the program and it gives Nebraska an edge over other schools, glad to see this staff is committed to making it strong again.
How about Clemens trainer? I've been listening to all the sport shows this morning and they are all shocked that this guy has been holding onto some needles and gauzing that has Roger's blood and DNA on it. Why are they shocked, this guy is a drug dealer, he's a shady guy, it doesn't shock me at all. If he was selling crack or some other street drug people probably wouldn't be shocked by it but since he's selling steroids to pro athletes people think it's odd he would hold onto something like that. He's just as shady as a guy who sells cocaine in my eyes. All this doesn't mean I'm on Clemens side, he's as guilty as they come, I just think people need to start looking at McNamee like the drug dealer he is.
I have to apologize to all of you for not being on top of my blogging. I have been finishing up my book the last couple of months so I haven't had much time to get on the computer. I will try to get down at least one new entry a week so let me know what you guys want to talk about. My show "The Spread" on ESPN just recently got ranked the number 1 afternoon talk show in Lincoln. I want to thank all of you because I know you guy's are my solid listeners. I'm having a blast doing the show and I hope all of you are enjoying the show, hang in there, it will be football season before you know it. JP
In Coach Pelini's press conference today I loved the fact that he didn't talk about each recruit individually. I have to imagine a reason for this is because he doesn't want to add to the hype that already follows each kid. Again too much is being made of these kids that haven't played a down. If he's going to talk about them as individuals then maybe first they have to get on that field and prove that they can play with the big boys, after all this isn't high school anymore. It also says that the team mentality comes first. Nebraska isn't about playing for yourself, it's about winning championships and to do that it will take more than just one player. Coach Pelini talked about the stock that he and his staff put into the star system, for those of you who didn't hear the press conference, his response was "none". The grading system by which all recruiting guru's live their life by means nothing inside Memorial Stadium. Bo and his staff went out and found a group of kids that they thought could play football. I saw one of the kids on TV last night and he was talking about how he's part of the team now, I couldn't help myself, I had to laugh. Maybe things are different now but when I played it took more than signing your name on a piece of paper to be part of the team. You had to earn a spot on teams that I played on, you had to show up for training camp and battle your ass off and earn your teammates respect before you considered yourself a member of the team. Anyway I've spent to much time talking about recruiting already, I'm glad the staff is satisfied with the group of kids they selected and I can't wait to see how they develop over the years. One last thing on the press conference, I thought it was great that the majority of the conference was talking about the walk on program. I've stressed to all of you before the importance of that walk on program and I was glad to see some 30 players will be coming to Lincoln to live the dream, or at least try to. It's the heart and soul of the program and it gives Nebraska an edge over other schools, glad to see this staff is committed to making it strong again.
How about Clemens trainer? I've been listening to all the sport shows this morning and they are all shocked that this guy has been holding onto some needles and gauzing that has Roger's blood and DNA on it. Why are they shocked, this guy is a drug dealer, he's a shady guy, it doesn't shock me at all. If he was selling crack or some other street drug people probably wouldn't be shocked by it but since he's selling steroids to pro athletes people think it's odd he would hold onto something like that. He's just as shady as a guy who sells cocaine in my eyes. All this doesn't mean I'm on Clemens side, he's as guilty as they come, I just think people need to start looking at McNamee like the drug dealer he is.
I have to apologize to all of you for not being on top of my blogging. I have been finishing up my book the last couple of months so I haven't had much time to get on the computer. I will try to get down at least one new entry a week so let me know what you guys want to talk about. My show "The Spread" on ESPN just recently got ranked the number 1 afternoon talk show in Lincoln. I want to thank all of you because I know you guy's are my solid listeners. I'm having a blast doing the show and I hope all of you are enjoying the show, hang in there, it will be football season before you know it. JP
Jason -
I love your comments re: the walk-ons and their importance to the football program. I would recommend to every Cornhusker fan the book written by former walk-on, David Kolowski, "Diary of a Husker". It gives the reader an entire new appreciation for the walk-ons and what they give to the program, whether they ever play a down or not.
Can't wait to read your book too. I've already got my copy pre-ordered!
Keep up the good work. You are an inspiration to many.
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Jason,
I completely agree with you opinions on recruiting. The previous staff put way too much emphasis on the individual. The signing day press conference would consist of the coaches talking at great lengths about the stars of the class. By spending so much time talking about the walk-ons yesterday, I think coach was basically sending the message to his walk-ons and scholarship players alike that everyone is equal on the new team. Our walk on running back has the same chance and opportunity to play as a 3, 4 or 5 star guy.
I personally am not a big fan of the star system anyway. All it does is create bloated expectations. I look at the example of Marlon Lucky. Lucky has been a very good back for us, and has the potential to be very good. However, coming in with an impressive 5 star rating, I think many of us hoped he could be the next Adrian Peterson or Reggie Bush. On the flip side, many of us have been very pleased with (when he's healthy) Cody Glenn, because he came in with a 3 star rating, and would appear to have over achieved.
Thats my 2 cents on recruiting. And you're right, McNamee is just a drug dealer with a college degree.
Go Big Red!
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good to have u back and wish you luck w/your new book! I wish we got your show up in Omaha, I'd like to hear it. You are right on about this recruiting stuff, stars mean nothing. Hell Aqib Talib, from KU, was a 2 star and he's gonna go 1st round. Some of the video I've seen on rivals on our recruits looks good. They look like "FOOTBALL" players that like contact, that's good to see.
I'm out
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Hi, you can listen to Jason's show live online. The streaming audio feed can be found on his website. Plus show archives.
http://jasonpeter.com
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Jason,
Thanks for adding a new post. I can understand writing a book keeping you busy. But I'm glad you are planning to get back to blogging again. FYI -- I have already pre-purchased your book and am looking forward to reading it once it's off the press. I agree totally with your comments about the recruiting process -- and I can't wait for these, and the current players, to get on the field so we can see the results.
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Like I'v said before, it's BO, we will have a football team next year. I agree that people need to come to a program because they are committed to the team, not to themselves, thats why I'vd never liked five star players, take a look at Texas, has all the talent in the world, but can you get them to play as a team. TO did not have teams of stars, instead he had teams of hard working individuals that played everydown with key talent at the rights spots to make the big plays when needed. Nebraska used to be the strongest team on the field in the fourth quarter, that was because of the walk on program, kids working hard to live a dream of just stepping onto the field to play one down, they gave %110 every chance they got. Why? Because it was the dream.
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Come on 55 the Rocket has not been found guilty. I would not be shocked if it turns out he is, but he has been a stand up credible guy his whole career. So I think he deserves the benefit of the doubt. That's what America is all about. It's not like he morphed from a slap hitter into the most prolific HR hitter ever in his late 30s. He was born the Rocket.
On a lighter note, it sure feels like Nebraska again. Go Big Red!!!
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Jason--
Great post as always. With the walkon program, I go back to something Coach Devaney once said (or words to this effect): "The heart and soul of Nebraska football comes from the state of Nebraska. The arms and legs come from the rest of the 49 states."
--Vince
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Jason-
Great article. I have to agree with you on the recruits, it is about the team not the individual. Look at the number 1 recruit in the nation Pryor, he still has not made up his mind. I think he just likes the attention he's getting. He says he doesn't have time because he playing basketball. Well so is about 95% of the other recruits in america. It's all about him/the individual. He will decide on a day when the media can focus on him and him and him only.
By the way, what was Nebraska ranked in recruiting back in 93/94 when you and the other guys on the national championship team where being recruited. I'll bet not to many 5 star athlete's, just a bunch of kids with heart.
Clemens is guilty and so is bonds. Astrix by all their names.
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Did it bother you in the late 80s and through the 90s when some players were clearly on the sauce, or that some of our beloved Huskers have done it? Or are you a hypocrite like most everyone else?
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Sounds like I hit a sore subject with Jasen. I'm wondering if he's a rocket fan or a bonds fan. They both my spend time in jail because there lying.
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I'm a Rocket fan. The sore spot is not whether or not he did it, it's people finding people guilty before due process. We've had past Huskers admit to it, we're not gonna put astrix by them or all those wins.
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Jason,
Great show,glad too see the no.1 ranking.I hope it lasts for a long time.
Also looking forward to reading the book. GO BIG RED
Bob
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Hey 55,
Thanks for telling it like it is. I don't put much stock in recruits either. People want to look at their high school videos and label them a college star. Nevermind that the coaching is better, the talent is better, and the environment is a bit different. Sure, some have great potential and could be the next Berringer, Frazier, Green, Wistrom, or Jason or Christian Peter. Most won't though. Some will be lucky to make it through camp uninjured and lucky to run down on kickoffs.
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55,
You r a busy man. I'm sure you detest excess attention paid to recruits. But I thought it would have been good to hear about your recruiting process.
Who recruited you? What schools impressed you? Who came after you hard? Did you come to Nebraska because of your brother? Who showed you around campus? Why did you come to NU?
Just read an article about top recruit in nation, qb from Penn. Some current recriuts from OSU who enrolled after HS December graduation courted him heavy. Still no decision from this kid.
This is an exciting time of year. Face it, if you don't recruit well, you got a problem. Like it or not.
I think Bo did pretty well and will do better next year. He's got some good talent now. They need to work harder.
Just an opinion.
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55,
I enjoyed your handling of this trainer by calling him what he is, A drug dealer. I had not looked at him like that before.
Clemens has backed himself into a corner now and the truth will come out. Living here in Houston, it is non stop coverage. Clemens could have gotten a softer landing by admitting some involvement, like Andy P., but that has passed.
Roids in sports over the last 25-30 years is no big secret. Some of our favorite Huskers were also rumored to be into the juice, as were super bowl winning teams.
I would like to think Roger is innocent, and will until he is proven otherwise.
GBR!!!!
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Jason, Sarah, and all Husker Fans,
My apologies for not staying on the subject, but I was wondering if anyone knew where I could buy a replica of the "Lucky Horseshoe" like the tunnel? I am trying to get for my Dad's birthday and haven't had any luck. He is a big fan just like me and I am sure all of you. This would be the perfect touch to his basement. If you have any tips it would be appreciated. Thanks very much and Go Big Red!
Tucker
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Common! We need some more blogs. What is your insights into the new program? What you think about the Spring? Recruits? Discipline policies? Bringing back our traditions?
Would love to read your opinions.
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