[Husker] PT for young players

[JEN_SENS]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Roy Miller" <miller.ra at sbcglobal.net>
To: "'Huskers List'" <husker at tssi.com>
Sent: Monday, September 03, 2007 10:33 AM
Subject: [Husker] PT for young players


>  The Nevada game afforded the team a chance to do something that hasn't
> happened too much in the past - get playing time for the 2nd / 3rd
> string players.

That is one of the things that drove me crazy with Frank, when he got a good 
lead he turtled and sat on it, not allowing a lot of young players to play. 
With Callahan, we have been too inept to get a comfortable enough lead to 
allow younger players time to play.

You are absolutely right. This is nothing but postive. We develop some game 
experience in younger players. Plus the chance to be on the field in front 
of 84,000 makes all those long hours of practice worthwhile.


> How can a coaching staff not give any playing
> time to the better player as Byford obviously was?

Byford was not obviously the better player. In fact many who observed 
practices felt his scholarship should be pulled. Callahan said when he 
arrived, Byford could not even finish sprints. He played passively and 
without fire.

Then for whatever reason, when Mann got hurt the light came on. Brett had 
several less than stellar games, but by the end of the year was doing a 
credible job. (However, if Mann had gotten truly healthy he would have 
played). Callahan gave Byford major props for developing himself and getting 
better, and Wagner said with a good year he could be drafted.

Brett has developed into a solid player. It is always fun when one of these 
kids proves the naysayers wrong.

Gerald