Spring Practice Video

To supplement the pictures I posted yesterday, the good folks over at the Lincoln Journal Star have a video on their website from the first day of practice as well. I tried to get it embedded, however for some reason it's not letting me post it. So please click on the link below to get to the video.

LJS Practice Video

Spring Practice Photos

As you know, yesterday was Nebraska's first day of spring practice. Here are some images from Huskers Illustrated as photographed by Bill Sitzmann. Enjoy. (Click on them if you want the bigger version).





























































































Who's who? Left to Right, Top to Bottom...

Offensive Starters, Armando Murillo, Running Backs, Bo Pelini and Shaun Watson, Carl Pelini "Gettin' Down," Kody Spano, Larry Asante, Nate Swift not keeping his eyes open (right), Niles Paul, Offensive Line Drills, Phillip Dillard, Quentin Castille, The Return of Ron Brown, Marlon Lucky

Details from Monday's Press Conference

Two days ago head coach Bo Pelini addressed the media regarding elements of spring practice in Lincoln. He had a lot of interesting things to say in terms of how he and his staff will guide the team in their approach to practice and hopefully the season schedule in the fall.

When asked what his goals were for the spring, he replied that building a solid foundation would be key in obtaining measurable success on and off the football field. "Build a foundation, he said. “Just keep building a foundation, which we have been doing down in the weight room and in the conditioning program. (We’ve been) developing the athleticism and that type of thing, and now we just get to put in some X’s and O’s.” Quite the change from the last staff. The X's and O's were paramount to the success of the team on the field under the philosophy of the old regime. Building on the gameplan was the key, which is fine in my opinion, however Callahan and company had obvious issues converting their generally good schemes into sensible information in the players minds and most importantly results on the field. Bad in game adjustments didn't help either. But anyway, I'm digressing.

Spring practice will not be open to any media until the Spring Game on April 19th. This shouldn't be that big of an issue to tackle, considering that most major college programs abide by the same theory on the media and practice. Pelini also stated his opinions on the matter in his usual no-nonsense type of answering questions. “I don’t want some guy making his determination of where our football team is and what we’re doing or not doing, and who’s playing well and who’s not playing well, based on his perception of what a guy might or might not be being asked to do. I just want to make sure the information getting out is correct.”

There are some players, as I've mentioned in the previous weeks, that will not be participating in spring drills. Unfortunately, both players are on course to be rather instrumental in the upcoming 2008 campaign. Defensive Back Anthony Blue, who tore his ACL and underwent recent surgery, and Defensive Tackle Ndamukong Suh will sit out for the entirety of the spring. On the running back front, Kenny Wilson who missed the entire year last year do to a broken leg will see limited action and Cody Glenn who has been hampered with foot problems will be "full go" according to Pelini.

If you attend the Spring Game, be prepared to see a bit more physicality and to see the possibility of the offensive and defensive starters squaring off against each other April 19th. Callahan's approach was to avoid this by having first stringers play their own back ups, but the possibility of the game featuring starters versus starters is very real according to Bo. “It depends on where we are at that point. I’m sure there will be some aspect of 1s versus 1s,” Pelini said. “But it’s hard to commit to that yet until you know where things are and how the spring goes and where we are at that point injury-wise.”

Another big question that was brought up and addressed by Pelini was the possible fragile state of any confidence that may be left over from 2007. “If they start feeling the success and believing in the system, believing in their coaches, believing in each other, then that mental psyche will take care of itself over time,” Pelini said. “Me sitting up there in front of them and trying to read a bunch of psychological books to try to talk to these guys, that isn’t what it’s all about. It’s about developing their confidence in the belief of what's going on.”

Hopefully what he is saying and starting with this team will get things turned around. What I am afraid of is will the Husker faithful give Bo the time he needs to undo the past few years and make the program into his own? How long is the leash that the school has on the athletic department? Specifically, Tom Osborne and Pelini? If you think the school administration is willing to sit back and be overly patient when it comes to progress, you might be kidding yourself. Osborne is a legend not only in Nebraska and across the world of college football and Pelini has achieved a certain level of folk hero status with only three months or so on the job, however my guess is that once the season is underway this fall the clock will be ticking.

Spring Practice Eve

Here we sit, on the start of a year that will hopefully mark the return of Nebraska football out of the Twilight Zone it was stuck in last year. After listening to Bo Pelini's press conference yesterday, it seems as if the no-nonsense coach is ready to get things rolling in the right direction. At this point, players and fans should expect a more physical team when you get your first viewing of them come August. Of course talk is cheap, but I like what he's saying. That withstanding, I'm reserving judgment on Pelini until we get some results on the field where it counts. Most fans are ready to anoint him as the second coming, I'm not there yet.

The status of Andy Christensen is still status quo, suspended indefinitely. Rumor is that the girl he assaulted was a current Nebraska baseball player's wife. Yikes. Hope that it's just a rumor, but it still doesn't take away from the weight of what he did, and the fact that it took nine cops to finally subdue him and get him down to the station. Hopefully players stop f-ing up after that weekend and focus on why they are in Lincoln in the first place. In my opinion, Christensen needs to be removed from the team. It sets a precedent and makes an example, which sometimes needs to be made.

Back to the fun stuff. Pelini said that winter strength and conditioning went great. Players that packed on the pounds after the season, like offensive lineman Matt Slauson, has shed his winter blubber and is now lean, trim and hopefully fully recovered from his shoulder issues he had last season. There has been some words from players labeling the previous staff as not having their poop in a group which caused some massive confusion on and off the field with this team. It wouldn't surprise me if this were true, considering what we all were witness to last season. What I question is some level personal accountability that is not present in the statements that are being given. Besides, it's best to let the past be the past and move forward. New year, new coach, new attitude. Right?

So here is how the spring schedule breaks down.

March 26 Wed. Practice 3:30 - 5:30 p.m.
March 28 Fri. Practice 3:30 - 5:30 p.m.
March 29 Sat. Practice 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
March 31 Mon. Practice 3:30 - 5:30 p.m.
April 2 Wed. Practice 3:30 - 5:30 p.m.
April 4 Fri. Practice 2:30-4:30 p.m.
April 5 Sat. Practice 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
April 7 Mon. Practice 3:30 - 5:30 p.m.
April 9 Wed. Practice 3:30 - 5:30 p.m.
April 11 Fri. Practice 3:30 - 5:30 p.m.
April 12 Sat. Practice 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
April 14 Mon. Practice 3:30 - 5:30 p.m.
April 16 Wed. Practice 3:30 - 5:30 p.m.
April 17 Thurs. Practice
April 19 Red-White Spring Game 1:00 p.m.

I was hoping to make it to the Saturday practice on April 12th that is open to Touchdown Club members, however that is the weekend I will be moving in to my new house. Sorry, even Husker football takes a back seat to some things. Not much though, of course. So fear not.

Ready To Roll

As we speak, the Nebraska Cornhuskers are preparing for spring practice, and not a moment too soon. In light of last weeks post(s) I'm excited to say that something will be getting done on a football field to help prepare for the 2008 season. We'll also be able to get our first look to see how Bo Pelini's strength and conditioning along with getting a glimpse of his staff's gameplan in it's infancy. Depending on the media access to spring ball will dictate how much I'll be able to disclose on this site, along with some other "sources" obviously.

I was hoping to make it up to the Touchdown Club's practice viewing on April 12th one week before the Spring Game, unfortunately (for my Husker fanhood) my wife and I will be moving that weekend and my request to travel from Kansas City to Lincoln, Nebraska two weeks in a row were met with an immediate "no" from the love of my life. So, no inside look at practice, training facilities, players or coaches from me this year. Not that they'd be willing to give anything up to me anyway, I just like feeling important. Fortunately I won't miss out on the luncheon before the game with Tom Osborne and Pelini which should be a great experience. Yes, this is me shamelessly schilling for the Touchdown Club in order to recruit any potential members that may read this blog. Sue me, it's a fun thing to belong to if you're a big Husker fan.

Getting back on track, there will be a ton of questions coming out of Lincoln now that the basketball season is basically over. Not that it had an impact, Nebraska is a football school. Always has been, always will be. But the buzz around town with the job Doc Sadler is doing with hoops in Lincoln is causing a stir and some much needed support and attention. Tonight the Huskers defeated the University of North Carolina at Charlotte 49ers in the first round of the NIT. Nebraska will now travel to play Ole Miss in the second round. Now with Doc and company out of town and spring practice starting in five days roughly, all eyes will turn to Lincoln in the state of Nebraska.

Pelini is having a great impact on his players and in the short amount of time he has been there, players like Larry Asante are already buying into his way of doing things. Check out the linked story on the Lincoln Journal Star for more information.

Asante Sold

Pelini Discusses Team Issues

Presented without any interruption from the Lincoln Journal Star...

Post details: Pelini meets with team about weekend troubles

03/11/08

02:19:00 pm, Categories: -Football by Brian Christopherson

Pelini meets with team about weekend troubles

Just got back from chatting with Bo Pelini.

Following some off-the-field incidents over the weekend, Pelini had a meeting with his team Monday night.

Among other things, former Husker offensive lineman Carl Nicks is banned from participating in Wednesday's Pro Day in front of NFL scouts at Memorial Stadium.

Pelini said he's banned from being around the program because he has set a bad example with past behavior. Nicks and former Husker receiver Maurice Purify were involved in a party over the weekend with some current Huskers that resulted in several tickets being handed out.

Pelini said Purify has about a 50-50 chance of participating Wednesday. He's looking further into that situation.

The coach said one player has even been dismissed from the team -- don't know who that is yet. Pelini said Andy Christensen's status of being indefinitely suspended hasn't changed.

About the weekend troubles of his team, Pelini issued a statement:

"Every young man involved in an incident over the weekend is being dealt with on an individual basis. A few players have been indefinitely suspended from the team, while others have been disciplined internally.

"I talked with the entire team (Monday) night and clearly explained to them that from this point forward we will have a zero tolerance policy regarding alcohol and social responsibility. Our players understand the intent of this rule and what we are trying to accomplish. Therefore, any violation will be handled individually as it pertains to the specific circumstance.

"Our players also understand that certain establishments are off limitis, and that the policy also pertains to their behavior in other social settings. I made it clear to them that our policy will be strictly enforced.

"Coach Osborne, myself, and our staff are all in agreement that the culture of this program will be one centered on respect, ingretiy and discipline. We all agree that culture must extend well beyond the football field."

Nebraska athletic director Tom Osborne also offered a statement.

"Alcohol abuse and binge drinking continues to be the number one problem affecting college students today. Educating our student athletes regarding these issues is a priority for our athletic department. Last week we had a mandatory student-athlete meeting where alcohol abuse was the primary topic. We expect our student athletes to go beyond the education process and to be good role models acting appropriately at all times. We do not take these recent violations of alcohol abuse lightly."

Bad News Bears

Just when I was complaining that there wasn’t anything to write about last week, this last weekend happened. It was a rough one for the Nebraska Cornhuskers football team, and a shocking introduction to the world of college football head coaching for Bo Pelini.

Last Saturday night offensive lineman Andy Christensen found himself in jail after sexually assaulting a 23-year-old woman at the Brass Rail in Lincoln. When the police were called to the scene Christensen made his case worse by resisting arrest and picking up a third charge by failing to comply.

The next day Pelini announced that Christensen was suspended from the team indefinitely. As the offensive lineman cooled his heels in jail, Pelini told the press that his actions “would not be tolerated.” Depending on what happens with the law at this point will determine if Pelini even gets a chance to reinstate Christensen or kick him off the team himself. The most likely of scenarios is that Christensen will find himself serving time this fall while the football team kicks off the 2008 season.

Yesterday, a bond hearing was held and was set at $500,000. Yes, you read that right. $500,000. Half a million dollars. Due to the nature of what he did, described as lifting up the woman’s skirt and penetrating forcibly with his finger(s). This is what brought the charge of the first-degree sexual assault. Right now Christensen is in very hot water. It is a very unfortunate incident with exactly two weeks to go until spring practice starts. However, now is the time for Pelini to make an example of him and remove him from the team if the law doesn’t do it for him.

As if this incident were not enough, three current players and two former players also had run ins with the law over the weekend. Obviously these violations I’m about to describe pale in comparison to Christensen’s woes, but are problems that Pelini needs to address with his team as soon as humanly possible if he hasn’t already. Just before Saturday night at a house party in Lincoln NFL hopefuls Carl Nicks and Maurice Purify were ticketed in relation to a noise complaint and arrested after they refused to vacate the house. Nicks was arrested on suspicion of being an inmate of a disorderly house and failure to disperse. Purify, who is on probation for his incident last summer, was accused of being an inmate of disorderly house. Included with this, Purify adds to his previous issues that include an assault, disturbing the peace, interrupting an arrest and a DUI.

Current player Nick Covey, who was cited with a minor in possession at a separate party the night before, was ticketed for the same thing on Saturday. Ben Martin and Mike V. Smith were also ticketed with a minor in possession violation. Smith was also ticketed in addition with maintaining a disorderly house.

Wow, how about that. It seems like players can’t help but get themselves into trouble, right? Well, I’m inclined to say that these few don’t ruin the reputation of the entire bunch, however this should in no way diminish the gravity of the situation at hand. There is definitely a problem with a certain sect of players and it needs to be address immediately. This probably isn’t the way that Pelini envisioned his first few months at Nebraska. My question is, and you’re not going to like it, is how can Pelini maintain sobriety and orderly conduct on his team when he’s been somewhat guilty of portraying a less than squeaky clean image? I know some Husker fans are ready to anoint him and his staff as the second coming, but I’ll just say that I’m reserving judgement until he A) produces results on the field and B) runs an orderly ship, so to speak.

Added to the fact that defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh will be out for spring ball with knee surgery along with corner back Anthony Blue, the past week has been filled with a lot of bad news. Apart from the arrests, couple the injuries with a portion the student section being moved to make way for 2,000 seats for non-student fans, it would seem to some like the world is out to get “Husker Nation.” Not just externally, but from within as well. Fans across the internets and some I've spoken to personally seem as split as the Red Sea that was parted by Moses, not just Dr. Tom Osborne, on the student section issue.

Hopefully once spring practice starts we’ll have some better news regarding the team. Until then in the next two weeks, I’m content with no news being good news.