iramurphy

They are tough to play one on one. Don’t forget that only a small percentage of passes are thrown more than 25 yds downfield. Even running 40 yds you don’t cover much more ground in .4 sec much less .1-.2sec. Pass defense starts with the receivers coming off the line of scrimmage and the pressure on the QB. That’s why there are a number of WR in the NFL who run 4.5 and 4.6. The elite speed guys pose a unique challenge but it’s tough to run a 4.4 if you have a DB or LB jacking you up or forcing you off your route at the LOS. Changes your defensive schemes but pressure on the QB is a great neutralizer.

I believe the players and coaches will be encouraged by their ability to compete against Nebraska and their time in the film room should confirm that cleaning up penalties, missed assignments, and other correctable errors they can be a very good FB team. I would like to see our QB get through his reads quicker and get the ball to his receivers coming off of their breaks and as they enter the seam of the zones. As our QB’s mature, they need to be able to read defenses at LOS so they know at the snap which reads are likely to be there. Receivers need to continue to find the seams when the ball isn’t there right away, and accelerate away from the defenders to maintain the initial cushion. The initial reads and that timing for the QB and achieving and maintaining those cushions are maybe the toughest skills to perfect in the passing game. It starts with Oline protection. We talk a lot about burners but our receivers are athletic enough to get open. Against dbacks as skilled as Nebraska, if the ball isn’t there in the short time the receiver breaks open those guys close fast and then we either have to go to the next read or a safety valve for 3-4 yds. Ron Erhard told me years ago he wasn’t worried as much about yards after catch. He wanted guys who would catch the ball and hang on to it. I would argue that a 4.3 40 guy that has those skills is a bigger threat than a 4.6 guy but most of the big pass plays are as much a coverage error or play by the offense that gets the advantage over the defensive set. If we can get through our reads fast enough and get the ball to receivers quicker I think we will see a more potent attack. We need to average more than 3-4 yds per completion to be successful this year.

Take the NDSU discussion to the one for Morons please. It has nothing to do with the Nebraska game

You are correct. Multiple studies over the years have shown how athletic success has a positive impact on donations, marketing and in most cases student enrollment. It would be interesting to see an updated study regarding student enrollment but I believe it still holds true.

How do we define “burner”. Is it their timed 40? What speed will satisfy our wish for a “burner”. It’s a legitimate issue but how do we define it?

“We” don’t make that decision.

I didn’t ask the question. I was happy to hear the answer. I’m just learning all I can.

It seems that somehow I haven’t been able to learn as much about this game as a number of the rest of you. I didn’t realize the answer to all of our problems was as simple as hiring DeBoer. Thanks for your input. I never would have thought of that.

Well if you haven’t been meeting with him it would usually because you either aren’t interested or for some reason Chaves doesn’t know about you. Call him up, introduce yourself and ask how you can help. Chaves and other staff members are working hard to bring things together. Right now the focus seems to be on Phase 2 of the facility upgrade. Probably where it should be.

I never mentioned Mussman. I have stated multiple times that the ultimate responsibility for the success and failure of the team rests on the coaches. In this particular case, the problem was execution. No one yet has pointed out what the coach should have done differently. The obvious answer is to get better guys. I think they have been trying to do that. My only suggestion is for anyone who wants to be a punter consider a punter’s camp like the one Darren Bennet runs. Last year, this guy didn’t have a big leg, but not many were returned. The coaches probably did the best they could with what we had. Let’s see how this guy does in the next few games.

With all due respect, I would retire the Juice U comments. It tends to derail any reasonable discussions. This response is an example.

Yes, I believe you are wrong. It doesn’t mean they haven’t ever made mistakes. I think these guys can see the talent. They are typically offering guys that FBS and FCS schools are recruiting. What I believe is a good indication of their ability to judge talent is how many players we recruit that other schools overlook who then turn out to be very good players (check Cowboys roster as only one example). They are still moving the program forward and that includes rebuilding the culture around the program. The simple solution from fan bases around the country is blame the coaches. In the end, that is where the responsibility lies. However, if they are such poor judges of talent they must be doing a hell of a job coaching to even be competitive. The best way fans can improve a program is to attend games and contribute money. We can be part of the problem or part of the solution. If we don’t have the financial resources then we can organize scholarship endowments or other group activities to provide support. Nothing wrong if fans feel the need to criticize or complain, but it doesn’t move the program forward.

Anyone who has ever played sports understands that the coaches job is to prepare the players and put them in a position to succeed. The players need to execute. Kostich can’t kick, block, tackle, punt etc. The only players I played with, coached or have been involved with that blamed the coaches tended to be losers. Does your lady friend have any eligibility left? As far as comments about what others felt were positive points, those are factors that when breaking down a game are factors. Time of possession (controlling the ball) against a team with the weapons Nebraska has means those weapons are on the bench. It’s an indication that there were positives to take away from a loss like this.

What did you think Kostich did wrong? Players were in the right position to make plays. That was his job. The players have to make plays.

I’m not sure anyone can say Nebraska isn’t good enough to win the MVFC. SDSU played Iowa tough but couldn’t move the ball. Iowa needs to get a lot better if they are going to contend for a conference championship. We haven’t seen the Bison yet but I assume they are the team to beat. Nebraska has some pieces of the proverbial puzzle. They have a big offensive line and some very talented RB’s. If their QB settles in and mixes in his ability to run they can be decent. Having said that I don’t believe fans are proud of any loss. I believe they are proud of the effort.

Tough loss. The coaches had the guys well prepared and they played hard and competed against a Nebraska team that had a huge offensive and a big defensive line, and some very quick hard running backs on offense and some good speed defensively especially their linebackers and secondary. A couple of big mistakes put us in a hole in the third quarter and we couldn’t get back in it in the 4th quarter. If we clean up a couple of stupid penalties, get our punting squared away, stay healthy, and improve each week we can be pretty good. Great atmosphere for our guys who didn’t seem in awe.

Goods points except I think Romfo looked like an athlete. He has done a lot of good things in practice.

Goods points except I think Romfo looked like an athlete. He has done a lot of good things in practice.

Sounds like a typical comment from someone whose only FB experience comes from playing Madden FB.

Prayers and best wishes for a quick, complete recovery.

He did.

That call was not a good call in the first place and was made worse by the confusion on UND’s part. Along with the timeout which alerted virtually everyone in the arena to suspect what was coming it obviously fooled no one. Frost’s call was unexpected and had a better chance of success compared to our fiasco.

I agree execution of plays are influenced primarily by coaching, practice, film study, and game prep. That can all be done properly and the play may break down or it may not work. A Rogers, T Brady, Mahomes, Allen, Montana, Unitas, Star all made mistakes. Lombardi’s players, Saban’s players and every other great coach have had players or teams who didn’t execute. It seems some forget that there are 11 guys and on some plays it only takes one person to fail to execute for the play to fail. It seems some forget that there are also 11 guys on the opposite side of the ball who are also coached to execute each play perfectly. We have very little idea of why the coach called this particular play and criticism of the call is fair. Coaches will ultimately be held responsible for the end results. Wins, championships, success in the classroom, problems off the field etc. Although I don’t know the background of many who post on this site, I wonders how many have spent hours and hours breaking down game film, practice film, recruit’s videos, fighting for budgets, dealing with fans, public appearances etc while at the same time trying to take care of their families. I’m pretty sure the Nebraska staff has critiqued this play over and over again both the execution and the decision. Just my opinion.

Points well taken. Obviously it didn’t work but we may disagree as to whether it’s poor coaching or not. I don’t buy into the thought that every poor play or call that doesn’t work is poor coaching.

That is true. I wouldn’t have tried it but if you are going to, I think that wasn’t a bad time. I doubt it was expected. Well played by the Northwestern guy and poorly executed by Nebraska.