[Husker] Callahan Decisions on Personnel

[Duane Feldman]

----- Original Message ----
From: Skylar Dodds sklarbodds at cox.net


>1) We improve over last year in almost every position.  Experience helps players, especially offensive linemen.  
>DB was one of our weakest spots last year and it might be one of our strengths.  Anthony Blue from Texas has 
>been really turning heads in practice and they think we might see him a decent amount in the Nevada game.

True, but a considerably weaker DL is a huge concern to me, especially against strong OL's.  And RB is weaker IMHO.  I am concerned that our starters (Lucky and Glenn) are injured so much and there is no experience behind them.  FB goes from a strength to a weakness, although I suspect it will be a smaller share of the offensive package this year.  TE remains weak.  WR, DB, LB and OL are stronger.  We'll see about QB (Taylor was B12 OPOY).

>2) If you listen to the players, they are SO hungry.  You can just hear it dripping from their words.  They want 
>it soo bad and the believe they've got the talent to go out and get it.

I hear some of the right words but I also hear similar things coming from Missouri, OU, OSU and TAMU.  I also see some NU player absences for nebulous injuries and Purify has been gone for non-injury reasons (I am not suggesting Mo isn't committed, only that he isn't practicing).  One thing is for sure, the "hunger factor" doesn't compare to '95 or '97 NU teams.

>3) With the exception of USC, I personally believe every team we play we can and maybe even should 
>beat (including Texas).  --

There have been many years when Texas was among the teams we "should beat" but didn't.  I need to see some wins against ranked teams before I get wildly enthusiastic.  Better success away from home and against the B12South would also be appreciated.

I"m not a "gloom and doomer" but if someone offered a guaranteed 11-3 NU season right now, I would take it. That would mean at least one of:  Win over either USC or Texas, OR a B12 championship win, OR a bowl win AND wins over all other NU opponents.  I'll take it!

Duane Feldman
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