[Husker] How bad is it?

[Don Rietsch]

Steve you've nailed it.  Here are some of my thoughts on the state of the
Huskers.


I have a slightly different perspective than most of the posters on what
ails the Huskers.  I've been a loyal Detroit Lions fan for the last 38
years.  No one on this list has experienced as much "losing" as I have
(unless you are also a Lions fan and older than me.).  Bill Ford has been
trying to build a winning team since the Stone Age.  All the coaching and
player changes have resulted in the same old Lions. I think the team's
problem is lack of leadership at the very top.  Bill Ford and Bill Jr. are
two of the nicest men I've had the pleasure of dealing with; but, I think
these traits prevent them from making the tough decisions needed to run a
large company or sports team. 

Why does the Husker defense look so "overmanned"?  I believe it's because we
are "overmanned".  Can someone name a Husker defensive player that will be
1st string All Big Twelve?  (Let alone All American.)  We have some good
players, but I don't see any great players.  Rudd is very good, he makes
good use of his talent but lacks speed.  Bowman is not the player he was
before his injuries.  Grixby, bless his heart, would be outstanding if God
had let him grow another 3 inches taller. He plays his heart out. The rest
are just good players.

Great coaches can turn a group of average players into a great team.  A
group of great players can turn an average coaching staff into Vince
Lombardi and Co.  Combine very average coaching with average players and you
have a very average football team.  Callahan and Co. are very "average"
coaches (I'm trying to be generous.) Their recruiting, hailed as phenomenal
by many, is suspect based on the play of the 2, 3 and 4 year players they
brought in. 

So in summary, I think we are seeing what results when you combine "average"
coaching, "average" players, and a disreputable leader at the top. (I read
that Pederson has such a large ego that he yells out his own name during
sex!)  My biggest fear is we don't have any great young players on this team
and the current trend will continue on. 

I think that Pederson and Callahan knew exactly what the state of the
defense was before the season started and that's why Callahan's contract was
extended when it was.  If they had waited until the season was over,
Callahan & Co., and probably Pederson, are history.

The above are my opinions and combined with $5.00 will get you a cup of
coffee at Starbucks.

Don Rietsch