Wednesday, April 02, 2008

Wednesday Night Beer: Cody Glenn Tries Linebacker

A lot is being said about Cody Glenn's move to linebacker... most of it, like Husker Guy, negative. But let's remember what we've got at linebacker: one player (Phillip Dillard) with more than 12 career tackles (split between nose tackle and linebacker) , four scholarship linebackers plus one converted safety. Add in a senior walk-on at linebacker as well. Oh, and did you know that one of those linebackers isn't practicing due to personal issues?

In the spring of 2006, I thought Cody Glenn was Nebraska's best I-back. Once Brandon Jackson returned to the field, Glenn and Jackson were Nebraska's top I-back's until both were injured late in the season. Now, Marlon Lucky had a nice season catching the ball last year and running wide, but he frequently struggled running inside. Cody Glenn certainly could help there at I-back... until you realize that Roy Helu and Quentin Castille are also impressing coaches with their progress as well. I'd like to see Helu and Castille to take over as the main I-backs, and line Lucky up all over the place: I-back, wide receiver, and heck, maybe a little quarterback on some gimmick plays. Where does that leave Glenn?

Glenn wants to win, and sees a need on the team...and an opportunity to take the field for his senior season. Spring is a time to experiment a little...so why not give it a chance.

Jeffie over at DoubleExtraPoint was feeling rather cranky last night, dredging up the three losses from 2003. I'm not sure what his point is. Vince Young, who went to a pro bowl and got Mack Brown a national championship? Kansas State, who three weeks later would absolutely annihilate #1 Oklahoma? Missouri, who scored 21 points after turnovers on touchdown drives of 6, 9, and 7 yards?

Against Missouri, Nebraska turned the ball over five times. Missouri got the ball on the Nebraska 6, Nebraska 29, Nebraska 49, Nebraska 9, and Nebraska 7 yard lines. Was that the Blackshirts best game? No way. But when the defense walks onto the field facing first and goal 3 times, it's hard to blame the defense. As for Texas, halfway through the 4th quarter, Texas only led 17-7. Against Kansas State, again it was 17-7 to open the fourth quarter before K-State started throwing deep when Nebraska started trying to force turnovers to get back into the game.

I guess if the point is that Bo Pelini isn't going to be a miracle worker, point taken. I'm not expecting a miracle worker. I'm just looking for a defense that doesn't give up basketball scores.

Doc Sadler got a well-deserved contract extension today. Lee Barfknecht of the Omaha World-Herald points out that while Oklahoma State probably wasn't going to pursue Sadler (Sadler was close to the Suttons, even babysitting now-fired OSU coach Sean Sutton once. Plus, T. Boone Pickens is probably going to fund a run on Kansas coach Bill Self), other schools are interested. Last season, apparently Texas A&M and Arkansas, to be specific. Good move, coach Osborne. I want to see where Sadler takes this program in the next few years.

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