[Husker] walk-ons and SP

[dryter at inebraska.com]

A question.  How do you fire SP for bringing in BC and Keep BC?  How do you
accept the program that SP brought down from the Mountain and then toss him?
UNL is a package deal.  You only get to vote for regents and support it with
donations and tuition.

And perhaps the extra 33 walk-ons weren't up to SP's standards--his new level of
excellence.  Now, I would think that any move that will in any way isolate the
Nebraska fan base is poor judgment, and that is exactly what this and any other
perturbations in the force will do. The extra 33 players were a direct
connection to small-town Nebraska, but these aren't likely places to find
Reggie Bush or Vince Young, in that your chances are much improved by
recruiting a valley with 20 million people in it.

I would have to think that picking up a few good fullbacks and offensive linemen
as walk-ons was feasible when NU ran the option, but they may have been
available because other high tier programs were running a more pro-style
offense--not that they weren't good, just not in demand.

Derek
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The canard isn't that there are fewer walk-ons, rather that the walk-on program
was eliminated or that somehow the team is worse off and less competitive
having a roster of 121 versus 155.

A walk-on program is a vital part of any successful college football program -
although I think that tightening up the program so that any Joe Schmoe off the
street who can pass a basic physical and some agility tests (basically the
qualifications under the previous
program) doesn't
automatically make the team as a walk-on isn't the horrific, program and
tradition altering event that it has been painted as on this list and by some
media outlets in Nebraska. I must have missed the memo when I was born that as
a native Nebraskan I was somehow immediately entitled to be a Husker walk-on.

Go Big Red!

Jeff



  Correct me if I am wrong, but didn't walk-ons have to be invited or try out
for the team?  NU has had many walk-on players, who were not offered
scholarships to any big-time schools, turn out to be very productive.
  It bothered me when the walk-on program was reduced because it was another
part of the NU tradition that was changed.  I also believe that if BC is going
to succeed, we must let him do things his way.  If that means reducing the
number of players on the team, then okay.
  As for me, I have no problems with BC.  I was not upset with the throat
slashing gesture against OU.  I saw it live and did not think it was meant in
the usual malicious manner.  I was glad to see him fired up about some horrible
non-calls.  My problem is with SP.  His ego showed up at Pitt and has moved
west.  I do not like the way he handled the Solich firing/new coach search (by
himself) and he has made too many changes.
  I think most people on this list are willing to give BC a chance but are ready
for SP to go.

Tim Silvey

"Not the victory but the action.
  Not the goal but the game.
   In the deed the glory."