Spring Practice reports?
- Thread starter Charlie Marlow
- Start date
Our defensive line is going to be a real force. I think Rhule said that last Spring.
So who can trust a word he says this Spring? Also, Rhule is the same guy who thought Sims was a good QB. And that Dane Key was a good WR.
Nothing I hear coming out of practice means a damn thing. This program is being run by a carnival midway scheister.
So who can trust a word he says this Spring? Also, Rhule is the same guy who thought Sims was a good QB. And that Dane Key was a good WR.
Nothing I hear coming out of practice means a damn thing. This program is being run by a carnival midway scheister.
Hell on wheels.
Can't wait for Rhule to tell us how hard it is to win games in the Big Ten...while Indiana is 26-2 over the last two seasons.
Yeah I gave Rhule the benefit of the doubt on most occasions. I also believe the majority of the **** he was saying was for the players ( except that Sims being an NFL QB **** lol). But I'm generally a guy who knows how to separate coachspeak/BS/ player motivation (through the media).
I think that's the biggest problem our fans have. They take everything he says literally when more times than not there is an agenda behind it. Rhule's problem is that he can't or shouldn't expect the majority of the fan base to "get it". When he says it and it's not true they bring it back to him and he looks like an idiot in their eyes.
Think about a couple weeks ago when he talked about the new DC NOT giving the fans or media too much info. Because he knows when something doesn't look like said coach said it did our fans throwing that **** right back in his face lol. I think Rhule has learned that if nothing else
. Now it's just put ya head down and go to work. No expectations, no exaggerated statements about what NFL talent evaluators think of players. No more declaring so and so is an NFL player. No more "I've always had a good defense " talk. Just go to work and keep your head down.
Fwiw I've never taken much of what he said serious after the Sims stuff. I just know he's trying to rally the troops, get the fan base rallying, get players to believe etc. But after year 3 that's hard to do. Simply produce or none of the other stuff matters. Unlike most I'm actually rooting for him...
Holla
Like a lot of us around here, I am done with the talk and the hype. It has proven to be completely wrong on many fronts. All I care about is results on the field in B1G play. There is no new information, no new data points, until Sept 26. Except for bad news, that can happen sooner. Like if we don’t start 3-0.
Probably true. I am rooting for Nebraska to do well. And if they do I will be the first to congratulate Rhule.Yeah I gave Rhule the benefit of the doubt on most occasions. I also believe the majority of the **** he was saying was for the players ( except that Sims being an NFL QB **** lol). But I'm generally a guy who knows how to separate coachspeak/BS/ player motivation (through the media).
I think that's the biggest problem our fans have. They take everything he says literally when more times than not there is an agenda behind it. Rhule's problem is that he can't or shouldn't expect the majority of the fan base to "get it". When he says it and it's not true they bring it back to him and he looks like an idiot in their eyes.
Think about a couple weeks ago when he talked about the new DC NOT giving the fans or media too much info. Because he knows when something doesn't look like said coach said it did our fans throwing that **** right back in his face lol. I think Rhule has learned that if nothing else
Now it's just put ya head down and go to work. No expectations, no exaggerated statements about what NFL talent evaluators think of players. No more declaring so and so is an NFL player. No more "I've always had a good defense " talk. Just go to work and keep your head down.
Fwiw I've never taken much of what he said serious after the Sims stuff. I just know he's trying to rally the troops, get the fan base rallying, get players to believe etc. But after year 3 that's hard to do. Simply produce or none of the other stuff matters. Unlike most I'm actually rooting for him...
Holla
But the odds of that happening are next to nil. Our roster is not even close to having the kind of athletes we need, especially on both lines, to compete in the B1G. If you look at our success from 1962-200O or so, the common denominator was we had very good athletes year in and year out on both of our lines. Football has changed a lot since then, but one thing is constant: you still win or lose in the trenches. This is why we lose to Iowa every f$cking year. It isn’t rocket science.
Unfortunately our moronic head coach doesn’t get it. Four years in and our lines are average to piss poor. He says he wants to be a running team but does not recruit a top running back.
5-7 is our ceiling
Rhule says that guys are just grateful to be able to get the **** beaten out of them by teams like OSU, Oregon, and Indiana. That is why you come to Nebraska.
Nebraska HC Matt Rhule
***Rhule said the spring game “will look like a game” with the first-team offense going against the first-unit defense. He noted “tackling” as the most important thing he wants to see.
***The Nebraska football coach said all the quarterbacks will play in green jerseys just like years past.
***NU returned to the field on Monday after a week off from spring break. While there was a possibility for a lag, Rhule said the team came back “excellent” after being away from the program for a week.
He added that the Big Red went full pads on Monday and Tuesday.
***Rhule said the main priority for recruits coming to Lincoln this weekend is to see what the city brings.
O-line coach Geep Wade
Nebraska offensive line coach Geep Wade shed light on the progress his unit has made this spring.
***Wade reiterated that all three transfers, Brendan Black (Iowa State), Paul Mubenga (LSU) and Tree Babalade (South Carolina), are working with the first team.
***Wade said he had continuity in recruiting all three of NU’s transfer offensive linemen out of high school.
***When asked about Mubenga, Wade said he recruited his brother, Ben Mubenga, out of high school.
With that, Wade said he already knew “what Paul was about.”
***Wade said true freshman four-star Claude Mpouma is currently repping with the No. 2 unit at tackle.
He added that he wants to throw Mupana “into the wolves.” Wade feels that’s the best way to get him ready for “Big Ten football.”
***On physicality, Wade said, “We are going to be physical, run off the football” on the line of scrimmage.
***When asked about left tackle Elijah Pritchett’s growth, Wade said he said to himself on the first day, “I’ve never coached one like that.”
He added that Pritchett busts his tail every practice. But for Pritchett to be “great,” he must be “unique.”
***Wade said Pritchett played a pivotal role in hosting Mubenga during his visit. And said the two bounce stuff off each other.
***On Nebraska’s spring game, Wade said he wants his unit to “just go play the next play” and not dwell on mistakes.
***When asked about blocking for dual-threat Anthony Colandrea, Wade said the O-line must “strain” always to finish those off-schedule plays.
***Wade praised senior Justin Evans as “probably one of the best centers I’ve ever coached.” He added that “it’s always great to have an athletic center.”
***Wade said that “athletic” linemen are a top priority in recruiting.
Pretty much where I am at. Just saw the Geep Wade presser. Seems to be an old school guy when it comes to the Oline. The real question is whether the new coaches and players on defense provide a more workable solution. I think we saw the results of marrying a defensive alignment and approach with two coaches (DC and DL) that had little experience or feel for it last season. By far Rhule's biggest mistake. Aurich brings a defensive approach that he has experience coordinating. The question is whether there is enough talent on that side of the ball to have success with Aurich's plans.Yeah I gave Rhule the benefit of the doubt on most occasions. I also believe the majority of the **** he was saying was for the players ( except that Sims being an NFL QB **** lol). But I'm generally a guy who knows how to separate coachspeak/BS/ player motivation (through the media).
I think that's the biggest problem our fans have. They take everything he says literally when more times than not there is an agenda behind it. Rhule's problem is that he can't or shouldn't expect the majority of the fan base to "get it". When he says it and it's not true they bring it back to him and he looks like an idiot in their eyes.
Think about a couple weeks ago when he talked about the new DC NOT giving the fans or media too much info. Because he knows when something doesn't look like said coach said it did our fans throwing that **** right back in his face lol. I think Rhule has learned that if nothing else
Now it's just put ya head down and go to work. No expectations, no exaggerated statements about what NFL talent evaluators think of players. No more declaring so and so is an NFL player. No more "I've always had a good defense " talk. Just go to work and keep your head down.
Fwiw I've never taken much of what he said serious after the Sims stuff. I just know he's trying to rally the troops, get the fan base rallying, get players to believe etc. But after year 3 that's hard to do. Simply produce or none of the other stuff matters. Unlike most I'm actually rooting for him...
Holla
Yeah that's where I'm at too. There's plenty to be disappointed about and clearly it's time for real results, but the amount of personal vitriol against Rhule on this board really surprises me. We've experienced so much worse, so recently! Haha. I really hope it all starts to come together this year. I don't think I have it in me to go through another faceplant/coaching search/refresh.Yeah I gave Rhule the benefit of the doubt on most occasions. I also believe the majority of the **** he was saying was for the players ( except that Sims being an NFL QB **** lol). But I'm generally a guy who knows how to separate coachspeak/BS/ player motivation (through the media).
I think that's the biggest problem our fans have. They take everything he says literally when more times than not there is an agenda behind it. Rhule's problem is that he can't or shouldn't expect the majority of the fan base to "get it". When he says it and it's not true they bring it back to him and he looks like an idiot in their eyes.
Think about a couple weeks ago when he talked about the new DC NOT giving the fans or media too much info. Because he knows when something doesn't look like said coach said it did our fans throwing that **** right back in his face lol. I think Rhule has learned that if nothing else
Now it's just put ya head down and go to work. No expectations, no exaggerated statements about what NFL talent evaluators think of players. No more declaring so and so is an NFL player. No more "I've always had a good defense " talk. Just go to work and keep your head down.
Fwiw I've never taken much of what he said serious after the Sims stuff. I just know he's trying to rally the troops, get the fan base rallying, get players to believe etc. But after year 3 that's hard to do. Simply produce or none of the other stuff matters. Unlike most I'm actually rooting for him...
Holla
Key actually was a pretty good role receiver. He did in fact make a few great catches but his best skill was perimeter blocking. Wasn’t great but wasn’t bad. Sims? Physically gifted. Too many really bad turnovers.
We have 8-9 win talent IMO but I’m guessing it will be more like a 6-7 win season. The coaching whiffs and turnover have hurt us badly. Lots of unknowns with the new staff pieces and especially the QBs. I feel good about Dana at OC. Jury is out on Aurich.
This is definitely a prove-it year for Holgorsen IMO. I'll give him this year because he's been shackled with one of the worst OL coaches in D1, but it seems as though he's been living on reputation/name these last couple years.
NU ran a 3-man base front from 2017-2025 under three different coordinators. There were really only 2 years where the DL successfully limited the run game of opponents and those happened when NU had two experienced, NFL caliber players to occupy 2 of the positions. So the question is whether Aurich's plans are a better fit for guys like Cam L, Nwaneri, Kade P, RVP, Moore and the portal DL players. I remember being pleasantly surprised when I saw NU's D stoned Minnesota's run game in 2023, even though we lost. It was clear the kids were playing in a defense that they understood and could be successful playing within. Hopefully we see a repeat of that.
we will be at or among the bottom of P4 yet again in terms of NFL guys on our roster
almost impossible to believe frost brought in way more talent than rhule and his 9 coordinators have so far
Only thing I’ve heard was weeks ago about TJ being noticeably better in the passing game than Colandrea.
Dana did some good when he arrived late in 2024. He quickly identified some problems and produced some better results. Was hoping momentum would build from that leading into 2025 season, but that is not what happened. So I agree 2026 is a pivotal year for him.
Am I the only one dreaming of what should have been, Wade (or similar)as OL Coach in year 1 of Rhule? It's crazy that Year 4 feels like Year 1.
Frost brought us a bunch of FCS level coaches. Rhule didn't do better.
Frost brought us a bunch of FCS level coaches. Rhule didn't do better.
Meh. We talkin bout practice?
Sure we can't trust what Rhule says. He's been too much hype and not enough common sense realism. But we also can't even trust our own eyes with this program. If someone makes a play, how do we know if it's not just a matter of mistakes made by the other side or just poor play? We've been bad for so long that I'm not sure anyone even knows how to win anymore. New coaches come in and their winning message is drown out by the losing culture.
My inside source says our new QB is much more mobile than Raiola.
That is some cutting edge stuff right there.
That is some cutting edge stuff right there.
I'm hoping that the lack of bragging and hype coming out of spring ball is more about humility and doing a reset rather than simply just not giving the fans stuff to ***** about. Whatever happened to letting your work speak for itself.Think about a couple weeks ago when he talked about the new DC NOT giving the fans or media too much info. Because he knows when something doesn't look like said coach said it did our fans throwing that **** right back in his face lol. I think Rhule has learned that if nothing else
I wish this is the case. We shall see. Growing sick and tired of hype. But someone pointed out that the hype is necessary in order to keep up fan interest. And fan interest is the only thing we currently do better than Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota and so on... We shall see.
Not a knock against you, but how do we know if we have 8-9 win talent? I would say that we have 6 win talent based on past results and measuring us against the Big 10 standard. Hope I'm wrong, but damn from the games I've seen in person we don't look bigger or faster than anyone (not counting Houston Christian and such)
We don’t know but it’s my opinion that the talent is better than the results. We’ve been getting beat by teams below us in virtually every metric that measures the recruits we’ve been signing. Tom would easily have won 8-9 given these same guys in today’s setting. It was pretty clear that our DC sucked last year. Raiola was not a good fit for what Dana likes to do. Rhule for whatever reason has struggled to find the right fits on his staff and at QB. I think some of it is pressure from within.
Nobody talks about the S & C program. We have had some massive O line guys just get manhandled for years. 4 star guys who got sslapped around like they were Juco rejects. And this ties into player development. How many of the huge number of underclassmen can contribute? If your here for two years you should be getting bigger, stronger, and better. You need 20 portal guys, or however many we got, and something is wrong. Yor whiff rate on recruits is either about 90% or you don't have a clue what to do with them when they get off the bus here.
Some of that, maybe most of that might just be mentality. I actually thought we had some guys play pretty darned well on our O line last year. Gottula took WAY too much criticism last year considering the injuries he tried to play through. Gottula’s injury status exposed our lack of quality depth at right tackle. The left side of the O line was pretty good IMO.
Most of us expect a reincarnation of the pipeline. We need to get o er that. Even they didn’t win every block against quality opponents and this team isn’t benefiting from Tom’s offensive genius. I’m interested if not excited to see what Dana can concoct this fall with an entire off season to work with his athletic QBs. I also think there’s going to be less concern about the QB running the ball. We have 3 guys in the room that can start for us.
Colandrea looks good. Wow. Couple of great closely covered throws for a first down and then TD. As advertised with his feet.
We are 10th in the big 10 right ahead of Purdue, right behind Rutgers for NFL draft picks over the last 10 years. People assume we are talented, but we are Rutgers/Purdue level of talented, with a fan base that expects at least Iowa level of production. Not sure if it is a curse, the culture, the coaches but we haven't brought in talent to NU for a long time, despite what recruiting services say. Just imagine if we didn't get Dylan and had qb play more similar to Rhules first year? Well, Rhule might be gone...sigh.