Mixed Signals

A picture is worth a thousand words, as the old adage goes. The picture to the right is more telling than most pictures I’ve seen coming out of the 15 practices this spring and last Saturday’s Spring Game in Lincoln, Nebraska. A few of the characters you may recognize, but the man in the white shirt and hat may throw you for a loop, since you are looking at the back of his head. That person is none other than formerly disposed and troubled offensive lineman Richie Incognito arm in arm with Bo Pelini. Forget who he was after the tenuous Bill Callahan era? Well, here is a refresher course.

Incognito hails from Englewood, New Jersey and was the first freshman offensive lineman in Nebraska history to start. This was either an indication of greatness, or that the offensive line was starting to crumble under the watch of former head coach Frank Solich. I thought this way then, as I still do now. To make a long story short, Incognito was accused of getting into many an altercation with male and female members of the University along with citizens of Lincoln. The final straw reportedly was in 2004, after Callahan took over the team, Incognito allegedly assaulted a teammate. It was at that point when Callahan placed him on injured reserve and suspended him indefinitely which led to Incognito requesting a transfer to Oregon. He never played a down as a Duck, but was drafted in 2005 by the St. Louis Rams with the 81^st pick overall.

It was yet another troubled Nebraska player, but in Incognito's case, praying on people smaller than him for no reason other than his rampant steroid abuse and resulting “roid rage.” To see him welcomed back to a program who rightly tossed him aside borders on ridiculous, sickening even. After his dismissal his Father even took it upon himself to accost Nebraska fans on internet message boards. Classy.

Now it seems in an effort to get back to the Nebraska way, there has been somewhat of an abandonment of certain integral foundations the current staff is attempting to perpetuate. I attended this past weekends Spring Game, and also attended a luncheon for my booster club that I belong to. The featured speakers included a video from basketball coach Doc Sadler, who was originally schedule to appear but could not attend due to recruiting engagements. Baseball coach Mike Anderson was also a speaker, talking up togetherness and the respectful coach Bo Pelini. Nebraska saint Tom Osborne was introduced by former All-American and Super Bowl champion Grant Wistrom and Pelini himself was introduced by one of his prodigies and current Tampa Bay Buccaneer linebacker Barrett Ruud.

Pelini talked about the value of being a good citizen and representing the University in a positive manner. He spoke about how a solid foundation was being built by the young student athletes. He referred to how he wanted to mold the young men to exude confidence and a good clean lifestyle not only on the field, but off “from the moment they wake up in the morning until they go to bed at night.” I couldn’t help but thing as the members of my booster club in attendance ate this up thinking that Incognito, and his father, had been at practice no more than 24 hours previous to this speech. I wondered how many people were actually aware of this fact, or how many people would even care if they did.

I’m all for redemption. I stuck by Osborne’s decision (and still do) to not kick Lawrence Phillips on the team. I always maintain that kicking him off the team wouldn’t have helped him. However, I saw Osborne’s intentions, as good as they were, fail amid a national spotlight that would help drive him out of the game two years later. However, Phillips has been persona non grata since he was drafted in 1995 by the same Rams team that picked up Incognito. Welcoming Richie back would be easier had he issued some sort of apology for his actions, embarrassing the University or his lack of respect for any order on and off the field while in Lincoln. This has not happened. Not even a simple acknowledgement. Just a return by a player who is mediocre when compared to other great linemen with ten times the heart, integrity and ability to represent the Cornhusker program better than Incognito.

Out of all the Adam Treu’s, Zach Weigert's and Aaron Taylor’s of the world, why bring back Incognito to stump for Pelini’s new regime? Is there something more there? Is our new coach that has Nebraska fans feeling on cloud nine about our program hiding an agenda that includes undoing the rights that were done by Callahan? As much of a pariah as Callahan is, deservedly so to a certain extent, I believe that the rose colored glasses may be so thick that people will be unable to recognize the picture I posted for what it’s worth.

Here is another thing to munch on. Josh Williams (pictured on the left) who was the 2008 signee I wrote about a few weeks ago who’s legal issues are still to be resolved, was in attendance for the Spring Game. Now, this may just be my opinion, but I believe he should be somewhat shunned until the truth of his situation is revealed. He shouldn’t be kicked off the team and have his scholarship pulled either, however I don’t think he should have been able to attend the game.

Are these first few months pointing towards what could be swirling around Lincoln in the next few years? I certainly hope not. Could it just be some amazing coincidences? Could be. All I know is that dunking your head in the Kool-Aid tank for an extended period of time may help you to take your eye off the ball if something is coming.