[Husker] All Holy Spirit Husker Talk

[David Elfering]

My parish (All Holy Spirit Greek Orthodox Church) has put on a July Husker
season preview the past couple years. Tim Beck and John Papuchis come and
discuss various things about the coming season, take questions, etc. I
didn't email in advance of the event as I didn't want to come across as
advertising.

This year's talk had a different complexion given the change in Coach Beck's
responsibilities!

My take aways
Both coaches were relaxed but professional, their real world answers
resonated with veracity and there was very little "coach speak". To his
credit Coach Beck told everyone up front that no specifics of the new
offense would be covered as they are purposely keeping it under wraps, and
though Bubba Starling does confide his thoughts to him he would not disclose
them. The one nugget we derived about the offense came from a question about
whether the role of the fullback would once again be more prominent. Coach
Beck's answer "did you see the spring game?". Food for thought.

I learned some things that surprisingly I didn't know but suspected. They
recruit a lot by positional need, but do save "wild card" spots for best
available athletes. Recruiting, as has been the case for many years, is done
by regional assignment but once a player moves beyond a certain point their
prospective position coach becomes involved. Another question was about
whether Nebraska will more intently target a recruiting area in which the
local school is having NCAA issues that might affect whether high profile
athletes would consider outside schools (when they wouldn't normally) and
the answer was yes, but that they do not change their entire recruiting
approach to do so.

Coach Papuchis was enamored with the talent and depth of the defensive line.
He also had some keen insights into Dennard, who he said has a rare talent
for a defensive back in that he is very physical and attacks his opposing
assignment. He asks to be assigned the toughest receiver on the other team
and makes it his personal mission to shut them down. On special teams he
said there is no replacing Alex Henery but that we should have some pleasant
surprises at the kick return position with an in flux of talented young
players there.

The outlook on linebackers seemed positive after a year of multiple
injuries. As expected both coaches gushed about Lavonte David. Though they
didn't say this, it sounds like he is a Suh type generational player at his
position. He came from a much smaller, lower profile program and dominated
in a way that isn't normally possible - and did so with only a basic
understanding of the defense.

Someone asked about differences between the B12 & B10. The answer in short;
not a great deal except that there is a lot more true, two back offense in
the B10 and almost none in the B12.

There was some talk about the new staff additions. Tim Beck characterized
them as hungry and extremely knowledgeable.

Though the coaches always do a great job, I felt they were more relaxed than
in other years. There were a few funny stories and quips. Having seen both
coaches up close I came away with a very positive feeling about them. Good
coaches and good guys.

This is all off the top of my head.
---
David Elfering
aroundomaha at gmail.com