Poll: Is the Transition Over

[nebcountry]

So CornNation had a recent interview with Tom Osborne. One of subjects was comparing Riley's methods to Osborne's. The response:

I try not to comment when coaches are here.. Mike is a experienced coach, been over 30 years. Has a philosophy, had lunch with him but have not spent time with him. Whatever I’ve seen with Mike has been from a distance. I certainly hope he does well. This will be a important season for him. In year two, the transition time is now over, it all changes very quickly.

It appears that TO views the honeymoon to be over. What's everybody thinking?

 

[urbhusker_rivals134349]

Depends, is the team 100% Bo "cancer" free? Watching games last year it sure seemed like some of the "leaders" (both offense and defense) weren't really trying very hard (or trying at all).
Personally I think 99% of those cancers are either gone or cured. Should be a much better season for wins.

 

[tpmcg_rivals137159]

i don't know if Riley ever got a honeymoon - he was on the clock when he was hired.

he'll have to earn his...

 

[huskerfan1414]

It depends. If we have a poor season, I'm sure many will be on here to tell us we are still in transition and there are still athletes poisoning the well and not trying, attempting to sabotage the season to the detriment of their own careers, etc. We will also have to wait for Riley to get "his" players.

If we win 7 or 8 games it will be over-hyped improvement.

If we have a great year it will be all credit to Riley and the transition was done very quickly. (fwiw I would give credit to Riley in this scenerio, too).

Personally, I don't think it is a transitional year but that doesn't mean that it is easy for Riley and his staff. We have a depleted defensive line but one that shows promise. We have a quarterback who makes some dumb decisions but Riley and Langsdorf are supposed to be QB whisperers and one would hope they learned things about TA last season (RUN HIM!) DBs, LBs, and WRs should be improved.

 

[NYC-Husker]

I think the honeymoon is over for sure and the Illinois game last year effectively ended it. I think all of us fans realize that a certain amount of bad luck was involved in so many close losses, but there were definitely questionable play calls and game management issues, as well.

I think the bowl win and strong finish to the last recruiting class, along with the fairly strong start for this recruiting class has eased fans' concerns and has shown the strong recruiting ability of the staff, but the bottom line is that these guys are paid to win football games.

Whether it's fair or unfair, though, the net result is that if the team blows a few close games this year with bad game management or play calling, the seat could get really hot really quickly for MR and staff.

 

[OkeyDokeyNU]

I voted 'maybe a comb.'

In all honesty these coaches need 7-8 more years in order to get their guys in here, and to overcome that talent deficiency, and get us to 9 wins.

 

[OkeyDokeyNU]

i don't know if Riley ever got a honeymoon - he was on the clock when he was hired.

he'll have to earn his...

Any coach that wins 5 games in the regular season at Nebraska, and keeps his job, received a honeymoon.

And regarding Urbhusker's post, how long are we going to use that "we lost because some of Bo's players are a cancer," but, "we won because they came together" thing?

 

[otismotis08]

i don't know if Riley ever got a honeymoon - he was on the clock when he was hired.

he'll have to earn his...

As it should be.

 

[GBRhuskers_rivals203711]

And regarding Urbhusker's post, how long are we going to use that "we lost because some of Bo's players are a cancer," but, "we won because they came together" thing?

When the players themselves say it, there's something to it. All you have to do is go read what Nate Gerry said either before or after the 2015 Michigan State game. Plus, the departure of Valentine and Williams is all one needs to know about who was all N with coach Riley and who wasn't.

Coach made a choice, and that was to scrap both systems players were comfortable in. It cost us dearly in the W/L column last year, and in the same breath, set a foundation not just for this upcoming season but many more to come.

You can either acknowledge what happened since Bo was fired, or you can continue to ignore it. Doesn't matter to me, it says a lot about who you are though.

 

[HuskerOH_rivals315145]

Until a pro style QB is made available to MR, I will withhold judgement. No excuse for the D, they should be able to go full force this year.

 

[urbhusker_rivals134349]

Any coach that wins 5 games in the regular season at Nebraska, and keeps his job, received a honeymoon.

And regarding Urbhusker's post, how long are we going to use that "we lost because some of Bo's players are a cancer," but, "we won because they came together" thing?

Hopefully not as long as all the Bo apologists blamed Callahan for empty cupboards and such. Besides players admitted there wasn't buy in. And can you blame them considering how toxic of coach Bo was? His farewell speech showed his true colors...

 

[LAHusker]

Riley and staff get 4-5 years as far as I'm concerned. He needs time to get his players in the system, particularly at the QB position.

 

[jlb321_rivals110621]

When the players themselves say it, there's something to it. All you have to do is go read what Nate Gerry said either before or after the 2015 Michigan State game. Plus, the departure of Valentine and Williams is all one needs to know about who was all N with coach Riley and who wasn't.

Coach made a choice, and that was to scrap both systems players were comfortable in. It cost us dearly in the W/L column last year, and in the same breath, set a foundation not just for this upcoming season but many more to come.

You can either acknowledge what happened since Bo was fired, or you can continue to ignore it. Doesn't matter to me, it says a lot about who you are though.

Great friggin post ....

and a big welcome back!! We missed you

 

[rez dog 70]

It depends. If we have a poor season, I'm sure many will be on here to tell us we are still in transition and there are still athletes poisoning the well and not trying, attempting to sabotage the season to the detriment of their own careers, etc. We will also have to wait for Riley to get "his" players.

If we win 7 or 8 games it will be over-hyped improvement.

If we have a great year it will be all credit to Riley and the transition was done very quickly. (fwiw I would give credit to Riley in this scenerio, too).

Personally, I don't think it is a transitional year but that doesn't mean that it is easy for Riley and his staff. We have a depleted defensive line but one that shows promise. We have a quarterback who makes some dumb decisions but Riley and Langsdorf are supposed to be QB whisperers and one would hope they learned things about TA last season (RUN HIM!) DBs, LBs, and WRs should be improved.

You do realize we were like six plays and 45 seconds from going 11-2 or 10-3?

 

[Milo-of-Croton]

Coach generally gets 4-5 years to get his recruits in and get his system in place...unless the train wreck gets worse and no signs of improvement. Just my opinion, but If there is no improvement with the way they use Armstrong it will be a red flag for me. I like Riley and staff and am cautiously optimistic they realize Dan Marino is not our quarterback.

 

[rez dog 70]

When the players themselves say it, there's something to it. All you have to do is go read what Nate Gerry said either before or after the 2015 Michigan State game. Plus, the departure of Valentine and Williams is all one needs to know about who was all N with coach Riley and who wasn't.

Coach made a choice, and that was to scrap both systems players were comfortable in. It cost us dearly in the W/L column last year, and in the same breath, set a foundation not just for this upcoming season but many more to come.

You can either acknowledge what happened since Bo was fired, or you can continue to ignore it. Doesn't matter to me, it says a lot about who you are though.

It was after the Purdue game and before Michigan State. I'm just glad we came together at the end of the year. That is a huge positive in my book.

 

[rez dog 70]

Coach generally gets 4-5 years to get his recruits in and get his system in place...unless the train wreck gets worse and no signs of improvement. Just my opinion, but If there is no improvement with the way they use Armstrong it will be a red flag for me. I like Riley and staff and am cautiously optimistic they realize Dan Marino is not our quarterback.

Again. We ran the same offense against UCLA that we did against Illinois, Northwestern, Wisconsin, Iowa and others. The plays were there to be made it's just one of them games our quarterback played within himself.

 

[OkeyDokeyNU]

Hopefully not as long as all the Bo apologists blamed Callahan for empty cupboards and such. Besides players admitted there wasn't buy in. And can you blame them considering how toxic of coach Bo was? His farewell speech showed his true colors...

I do not recall anyone blaming callahan for leaving the cupboards empty. All I can remember is us Husker fans scratching our heads, seeing as our recruiting classes were basically the highest rated prior to Osborne.

It was basically the opposite of Pelini's regime.

 

[Milo-of-Croton]

Again. We ran the same offense against UCLA that we did against Illinois, Northwestern, Wisconsin, Iowa and others. The plays were there to be made it just one of them games our quarterback played within himself.

Way too many times we went pass happy when it was not necessary. We will underachieve if Armstrong passes 40+ times a game again this year. I chalk it up to Langs and a learning curve. The plays he called we're not necessarily wrong, just not good with Armstrong as quarterback. I like TA, he has strengths. As stated, I think they learned. We will find out.

 

[rez dog 70]

Way too many times we went pass happy when it was not necessary. We will underachieve if Armstrong passes 40+ times a game again this year. I chalk it up to Langs and a learning curve. The plays he called we're not necessarily wrong, just not good with Armstrong as quarterback. I like TA, he has strengths. As stated, I think they learned. We will find out.

Why are we rehashing this again? It's like some want drama to the last drop.

 

[Milo-of-Croton]

Why are we rehashing this again? It's like some want drama to the last drop.

I just stated my opinion, was not looking for an argument.

 

[rez dog 70]

I just stated my opinion, was not looking for an argument.

So is it an opinion when our quarterback won't throw it 7 yards to a wide open tight end to move the chains on a game winning drive??? Or is it easier to blame in on Lang's when he chucks it up 40 yards down field into triple coverage... no wonder Carter was sooooo wide open.

 

[dockentwo]

You do realize we were like six plays and 45 seconds from going 11-2 or 10-3?

Love it !!! And no; fresh down from Mount Olympus, many don't.

 

[dockentwo]

So is it an opinion when our quarterback won't throw it 7 yards to a wide open tight end to move the chains on a game winning drive??? Or is it easier to blame in on Lang's when he chucks it up 40 yards down field into triple coverage... no wonder Carter was sooooo wide open.

Not too mention how many times did he audible into his " playground champions pass gig " ; from a called running or other conservative play. IMO, the coaches have shielded him from some additional heat.

 

[NikkiSixx_rivals269993]

in other news, NU slips another 5 places to #34 in the team recruiting rankings..

 

[rez dog 70]

Not too mention how many times did he audible into his " playground champions pass gig " ; from a called running or other conservative play. IMO, the coaches have shielded him from some additional heat.

+1
I understand the coaches motivation for taking the blame but as a player who's expected to be a leader you have to stand up and take responsibility. I just wish the few posters would stop it with the blatant attempt to keep the divisions alive and well.

 

[JohnRossEwing]

Nice to see we are getting some TA bashing in before the season. Also nice seeing that the old "toxic culture" excuse will be around for at least one more season. I wasn't sure if that would be around again so it is nice knowing that it will be available if NU loses a game.

 

[rez dog 70]

Nice to see we are getting some TA bashing in before the season. Also nice seeing that the old "toxic culture" excuse will be around for at least one more season. I wasn't sure if that would be around again so it is nice knowing that it will be available if NU loses a game.

It's good to see the anti Riley crowd hasn't lost a step.

 

[rez dog 70]

I really think some of you guys play this low ball game pretty damn good. I've seen multiple threads just pop up last night going full tilt on the "toxic side". Why??? Are you guys afraid of a little team unity with Riley taking hold?

 

[JohnRossEwing]

It's good to see the anti Riley crowd hasn't lost a step.

I love that guy! I think he easily win 10 games this year.

 

[Big Red Menace]

Again. We ran the same offense against UCLA that we did against Illinois, Northwestern, Wisconsin, Iowa and others. The plays were there to be made it's just one of them games our quarterback played within himself.

Same offense but much different play calling. 62 rushes vs 19 passes against UCLA. Very different game plan than what they called during the regular season. Many Husker fans are wondering if they learned anything though. We'll see.

 

[OkeyDokeyNU]

I really think some of you guys play this low ball game pretty damn good. I've seen multiple threads just pop up last night going full tilt on the "toxic side". Why??? Are you guys afraid of a little team unity with Riley taking hold?

I think the team currently has as much unity as one could expect from any second year coached team. And I want Nebraska to win literally as much as you, rover.

But I also have my limits when it comes to excuse-making. And I feel like this "cancer" ship should have set off from port after last season. Or at the very least, certainly when this season begins,

No more excuses. We need to stop blaming losses on the premise that certain players are deliberately tanking games. Because if that were the case, Riley, of all people, is more aware of it than any, single person on this board. It's his job to fix those problems, especially of that nature.

If this supposed "cancer" is so obvious to so many of the internet football experts here, then for the love of god, Riley should be well aware of this and stop putting those players into this supposed position to carry out this Benedict Arnold phenomenon.

 

[rez dog 70]

I love that guy! I think he easily win 10 games this year.

In all honesty we should of won ten games last year. That's what has me so excited for this year. Even with the transition the games were there to be won. Once we get settled in I expect to start seeing games being won in the third quarter. Just like what we saw against UCLA.

 

[rez dog 70]

Same offense but much different play calling. 62 rushes vs 19 passes against UCLA. Very different game plan than what they called during the regular season. Many Husker fans are wondering if they learned anything though. We'll see.

I've beat this drum over and over yet some still don't understand how you build an offensive gameplan. Simply put if you run Riley's offense you have a series of options to pick up yards and first downs. You can run to set up the pass or you can pass to set up the run. Against UCLA we picked up first downs with a controlled passing game which allowed us to pound the ball on the early downs. It really was as simple as that. Also you do understand when you run a play there are usually 4 to 5 different check downs?

 

[rez dog 70]

I think the team currently has as much unity as one could expect from any second year coached team. And I want Nebraska to win literally as much as you, rover.

But I also have my limits when it comes to excuse-making. And I feel like this "cancer" ship should have set off from port after last season. Or at the very least, certainly when this season begins,

No more excuses. We need to stop blaming losses on the premise that certain players are deliberately tanking games. Because if that were the case, Riley, of all people, is more aware of it than any, single person on this board. It's his job to fix those problems, especially of that nature.

If this supposed "cancer" is so obvious to so many of the internet football experts here, then for the love of god, Riley should be well aware of this and stop putting those players into this supposed position to carry out this Benedict Arnold phenomenon.

And I think Riley has literally pitched a perfect game in his handling of his transition. It might not look like it sometimes but he has done an incredible job of being the understanding father figure instead of the my way or the highway coach.

 

[rez dog 70]

Exhibit #1
Riley using his connections to get Vincent Valentine drafted. That was 100% being a understanding father figure.

 

[HuskerO58]

So is it an opinion when our quarterback won't throw it 7 yards to a wide open tight end to move the chains on a game winning drive??? Or is it easier to blame in on Lang's when he chucks it up 40 yards down field into triple coverage... no wonder Carter was sooooo wide open.

Re-read what @Milo-of-Croton said. He's not really disagreeing with you.

The plays he called we're not necessarily wrong, just not good with Armstrong as quarterback. I like TA, he has strengths.

 

[rez dog 70]

Re-read what @Milo-of-Croton said. He's not really not disagreeing with you.

I know what he said. And I understand the politically correct way of structuring a statement. But in my opinion Lang's and Riley literally shoulder close to zero blame when it comes to the offense. Tommy can do what is expected of him cause he did it against UCLA. My only grip from last year was not using Ozigbo more instead of Newby.

 

[tpmcg_rivals137159]

As it should be.

wasn't implying that he shouldn't, but i find it curious that terminology being used in describing his arrival

 

[PeliniTheCrutch_rivals294365]

Exhibit #1
Riley using his connections to get Vincent Valentine drafted. That was 100% being a understanding father figure.

Yep, Belichick used up a 3rd rounder as a favor for his good buddy Riley, because we all know that's how that guy works. Please pass me some of what you're having!