News from Husker camp...

garn91 · 08-16-2006, 01:28 PM

For those who want to know:

1 - Husker LB Steve Octavien had his appendix removed Tuesday. Sounds like it was a routine procedure and isn't expected to miss any games. Octo started the opener last year against Maine and on the 1st play of the 2nd quarter broke his leg and was done for the year.

2 - 3 plus hour scrimmage yesterday. Husker RB's busted off long TD runs not once, but twice. That's on top of a long TD run in a scrimmage Saturday. When I say long, i'm talking longer than 50 yards. If there was any doubt that the Husker coaches weren't serious about having an improved running game, this should end any doubts. An improved running game will only make the passing game that much better and will make for a very lethal Husker offense :)

monkeybrow · 08-16-2006, 01:34 PM

or it could signal a very smelly defense of the swiss cheese variety.....

ISUFan22 · 08-16-2006, 01:35 PM

Originally Posted by garn91

1 - Husker LB Steve Octavien had his appendix removed Tuesday. Sounds like it was a routine procedure and isn't expected to miss any games. Octo started the opener last year against Maine and on the 1st play of the 2nd quarter broke his leg and was done for the year.

Yeah...these things are routine. I had mine out my senior year during football season. Had it out on a Thursday, missed that Friday's game but was back on the field the next Friday.

Originally Posted by garn91

2 - 3 plus hour scrimmage yesterday. Husker RB's busted off long TD runs not once, but twice. That's on top of a long TD run in a scrimmage Saturday. When I say long, i'm talking longer than 50 yards. If there was any doubt that the Husker coaches weren't serious about having an improved running game, this should end any doubts. An improved running game will only make the passing game that much better and will make for a very lethal Husker offense :)

Were these runs by the first teamers against the first team defense or the second team?

Wesley · 08-16-2006, 01:47 PM

Garn91,

Who are the Top Six NE players in your estimation?

Heard that Courtney Grixby was wearing a protective cast on his right wrist.

garn91 · 08-16-2006, 01:49 PM

1's vs 1's. Like I said it was a 3 plus hour scrimmage that went for over 140 plays. What part of the scrimmage's the TD runs came, I don't know. There hasn't been much coming from camp on the play of the defense, it's all been on the vastly improved offensive line and RB battle.

Wesley · 08-16-2006, 02:03 PM

Unbiased---------------

http://www.realfootball365.com/colle...ary150806.html

Luv those follow up comments.

garn91 · 08-16-2006, 02:14 PM

Originally Posted by Bryceman

Garn91,

Who are the Top Six NE players in your estimation?

Heard that Courtney Grixby was wearing a protective cast on his right wrist.

Offense only:

1 - Zac Taylor
2 - RB Kenny Wilson (he's going to play early and often)
3 - Matt Herrian (If reports are accurate that Herrian is 100%, he'll play a huge, huge role for the offense. The WCO thrives on the TE posistion)
4 - Maurice Purify (The guy is 6'4; 215lbs & 4.45 40) WR coach Ted Gilmore yesterday on Mo:

“Very explosive. He’s going to help us along,” Gilmore said of the junior college transfer. “We’ve got to be smart with him early on until he learns the system. But he’s exactly what we thought.

5. - Offensive line: Cann't single out one player on the line, but as a group, they've been very focused on 1 - protecting Zac Taylor and 2 - opening holes for the running game.
6. - Marlon Lucky; It took Marlon most of last year to learn the offense, espcially catching out of the backfield. Now that he's into year 2, he's going to have a big year at RB as well as doing some kick return duties as well.

Defense only:

IMO, it's so hard to rank the 6 best players on defense because there is so much talent and depth at virtually every posistion, espcially the front 7. Which with having no bye weeks, having so much depth will allow for constant player rotation. Remember that last year, Nebraska led the nation in sacks and tackles for losses and that 3 out of 4 starting LB's went down with season ending injuries at one point or the other last year and virtually everyone returns. The defensive leaders (Carriker, Moore, etc.) are very determined to field a top 5 defense this year.

That said, if you want me to rank the 6 best, here you go:

Adam Carriker
Corey McKeon
Jay Moore
Steve Octaiven
Courtney Grixby/Tieree Green
Andre Jones

The front 7, IMO, is going to have to be dominant right out of the gate (which I think they will) in order to allow the young and inexperienced secondary to gel.

From what I understand, Grix sprained his thumb and won't miss any practice time or games. His biggest hurdle will be adjusting to playing with a cast.

Cydkar · 08-16-2006, 03:02 PM

It's nice to see that the Oline is focusing on the two things that Olines are supposed to do. Brilliant! :)

garn91 · 08-16-2006, 03:13 PM

Originally Posted by Cydkar

It's nice to see that the Oline is focusing on the two things that Olines are supposed to do. Brilliant! :)

Contary to popular belief, the Callahan version WCO isn't a pass happy offense. It's a balanced offense and that's why last year was so fusturating for the offensive coaches as well as fans.

benjay · 08-16-2006, 03:22 PM

You've got me shakin' in me boots, garn. Clearly Nebraska is all-world and we don't stand a chance.

ISUFan22 · 08-16-2006, 03:23 PM

It's curious that you have the offensive line listed as one of the better "players" for this fall...when they gave up a ton of sacks and led the team to a poor running attack.

They very well may be better this fall...yet there's nothing to back that up at this point.

It would be like me saying the secondary for ISU is going to be a strength...could be...but not a soul has a clue and no data supports it.

ISUCLONES15 · 08-16-2006, 03:24 PM

Originally Posted by benjay

You've got me shakin' in me boots, garn. Clearly Nebraska is all-world and we don't stand a chance.

My thoughts exactly! ;)

ISUCLONES15 · 08-16-2006, 03:26 PM

Originally Posted by ISUFan22

It's curious that you have the offensive line listed as one of the better "players" for this fall...when they gave up a ton of sacks and led the team to a poor running attack.

They very well may be better this fall...yet there's nothing to back that up at this point.

It would be like me saying the secondary for ISU is going to be a strength...could be...but not a soul has a clue and no data supports it.

Its because of those 3 long TD runs in the recent practice! :D

ISUFan22 · 08-16-2006, 03:28 PM

This ISU-Nebraska game should be one for the ages. While it does not carry the fanfare of say past Texas-Oklahoma games...this year...it aught to.

Especially should both teams enter the game undefeated or with just one loss.

One thing is almost for certain...this game should decide the North winner. KSU, KU, CU and Mizzu just are not ready to contend this year.

And...whoever wins the North, aught to have a real shot to take down the South winner.

I expect a nasty, hard-fought game that will be decided in the 4th quarter. These teams are very evenly matched...regardless of what either fan base wants to believe.

Wesley · 08-16-2006, 03:29 PM

Sorry garn,
I was asking for the Best 6 on the team so we could get a feel for the NE strengths.

Obviously one list of the Clones Top 6 may be Meyer, Blythe, Stephenson, Curvy, Hicks, and DeAndre. Go DeAndre Jackson!!! My list indicates offense has more Top Players for Clones. That is expected.

And where has NUFan been recently?

Reading between the Garn lines above, I detect the NE Top 6:
1. Z Taylor (O)
2. A Carriker (D)
3. M Purify (O)
4. M Herrian (O)
5. C McKeon (D)
6. S Octaiven (D)

With Zac Bowman sitting on sidelines this year. Is that list close?