[Husker] NC State/Rutgers, Callahan and Daniel

[Duane Feldman]

________________________________

From: Steve Stone sstone at pvtnetworks.net


Steve, I think you have made a great point here.  We won't be learning a new system and become aware of expectations.  A huge advantage to start the year.

Overall, the defense should be greatly improved:
1. Refining a system that is in place
2. Dline returns Suh, Turner and Allen with another Steinkuler.  Lack of depth at DT will hurt, but Merideth and Williams are talented newcomers along with one or more that will develop from position transfers or walk-ons.
3. We had no returning starters last year and we have one and a half this year with Dillard and four game starter Lawrence.  Great developing talent in Compton, Whaley, Fisher, May, Holt and others.  Should be improved and certainly deeper than this year.
4. Safeties Asante and Thenarse return (along with OHalleron and others).  Add in new comers PJ Smith, Osborne and others  means this position should improve greatly over last year.
5. Corners were the second best unit after the dline last year and shouldn't fall off.  Blue will replace graduating Murillo.  West, Hagg and Prince return at the other corner, nickel and dime backs respectively -- all with more experience.

I think the improvement in defense will be similar to the improvement over last year when NU went from 114 in overall D up to 82 (but better than that later in the season).  I think we should get up to the 40's and be near the top of the Big 12 (I don't think we will be the best D in the conference but we play in the North where the stats are easier to come by).

I also think special teams will improve a lot next year.  Look at all the talent that redshirted last year and can see the field on special teams.  More talent, plus Pelini won't be as worried about installing a defense that doesn't resemble Cosgrove's.  With more attention, we should have better ST stats.

Duane Feldman


It seems to me that the big difference-maker next year will not be 
incoming personnel but the fact that by fall camp the Pellini system 
will be deeply ingrained into every returning squad member who can 
then help the newbies learn it easier and faster. (Players learn 
better from other players than they do from coaches.)

*********************************