[Husker] My $.02 worth

[Sean McGrath]

            I've read the numerous posts about this past season and I
thought I would add a little to the discussion. First of all, I really
feel that the basic fundamentals were lacking at times. Whether it was
not getting a play off before the play clock expired, to tackling
techniques to finally Joe Dailey's passing mechanics. It just seemed
like the little things that determine Ws and Ls wasn't there. A couple
of games were lost because of this. 

            I feel the game planning was lacking sometimes especially on
defense with some notable games with the offense. When it came to the D,
a high school football player could figure out how to attack our D. At
times it was pathetic. Now I know there are those like Bob Beach who
feel that the players should be held most accountable but whatever
happened to benching a player not playing the way he should. I've heard
enough discussion about how Callahan may have sacrificed this season to
implement the WCO but why wasn't this done on the D side. If a player
isn't playing up to his abilities or not willing to go along with the
game plan then he takes a seat. The guy taking his place may not have
the talent or experience of the starter but effort should overcome that
at least if you're not getting the starter to buy into what you are
doing. On the offensive side I must bring up the most glaring example of
poor game planning and that was ISU. Why did we use the game plan that
should have been used for ISU on OU? I felt that Callahan seemed to be a
week behind on his game planning. Sometimes there didn't seem to be a
game plan or it was helter skelter at best. Is that a list of plays on
that card Bill or a menu?

            One positive I would like to point out that I haven't heard
mentioned yet is the performance of the O line. I felt the best coaching
job on this year's team was by line coach Dennis Wagner who lost an
All-American center in Incognito and several injuries and yet we had a
pretty decent line. Some of the sacks that occurred where more JD's
fault for holding onto the ball to long. Plus they have opened up some
huge holes in some games making pork chop's job a little easier. I would
say that the o line was the only part of the team that seemed to improve
as the year went. 

            The other positive is, of course, recruiting but that is
something that needs to be looked at in hindsight. Especially when the
most dominate period of football, by the Husker's, had mostly recruiting
classes ranked in the teens and maybe one top ten class with the
recruiting of Tommie Frazier. I really hope the new recruits can help
but I don't see that until '06 or '07 when they have matured a little.
So really, for Blake and others to say help is coming is a little too
much on the glass is half full side. Again I hope they do well. I'm one
of those who backs the team no matter what (born a Packer fan and until
'89, they sucked all my life) but I'm all for getting rid of the DANP
(Dumb *ss from North Platte) for the way he handled Solich's firing.
Okay now, bash away if you wish ;-)

 

Sean