This is a re-post of a blog from the Norfolk Nebr Daily News with a little hint of the method to the madness in the Husker defense. After reading this, ya gotta love Bo & Carl Pelini's concepts even more than you already do. Here it is.
The Old Husker Fan
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Friday, January 1, 2010
Huskers' Finish Brings Comparisons
I'llTC bet every Husker fan alive caught at least part of the 33-0 workover the guys put on Arizona in the Holiday Bowl. What a way to finish the season!--even if Zac Lee's TD was pre-empted by the finish of the blue-turf bowl. No matter. There are some real poignant comparisons after that performance. And, there are also some one-of-a-kind contributors.
First, the comparisons:
Niles Paul---He's had his maddening moments this year, notably against Iowa State when he fumbled at the end of the long pass play late in the 2nd quarter. But there is no doubt that he has some "mad skillz" when it comes to being a threat. His running on the reverse, the long TD pass, and hsi continued effectiveness on returns bring Irving Fryar to mind. That's good company, and I think after what he's done, that Paul deserves such a comparison. I won't put him into Johnny Rodgers's light, though--at least not right now. The Jet was truly something special. But if Paul keeps this up, I will happily concede otherwise.
Rex Burkhead---Don at the New Year's Eve part we were at last night said that Burkhead reminds him of Tony Davis---the Tecumseh Tornado--who was a fiery bundle of energy at I-back in the early 1970s. I can see that. #22 has got some combativeness. I'd like to offer another suggested throwback--and that would be Jeff Kinney, he of the 4-TD showing against Oklahoma in the 1971 Game Of The Century. Regardless--it's obvious why Husker head guy Bo Pelini made such a big deal out of Burkhead's potential at Football 202 last summer. And there is no doubt that if Burkhead hadn't gotten hurt, the Iowa State loss would not have happened.
Ndamukong Suh---Simply, "wow". Where do you start with this guy and what he's accomplished this year? There's been a ton of copy put down about Suh and his play--all well earned---not the least of which was his major face time with Erin Andrews at the end of the Holiday Bowl. This guy's strength and quickness combo has brought up names like Rich Glover, Larry Jacobson (both stars of Devaney's best team in 1971), John Dutton (Osborne's first team in 1973), John Parrella of the early 1990s, and the Peter brothers in the mid-90s who were highlight players in the glory years of T.O.'s mid-'90s dynasty.
Well, in keeping with my Old Husker Fan persona, I'd like to make sure that another name is brought into the discussion of "Suh is like..."---and that is Wayne Meylan from the mid-1960s. Just like Suh, Meylan was practically unblockable. He was a true force of nature in his dominance of the line. He was a consensus All-American. And, like Suh, he wasn't just an immovable object in the line. He was also capable of scoring in his own right. Meylan was a guy who could block kicks and still had the quickness and dexterity to grab the ball and take it in. That's a special set of talents for sure. Everybody who's been mentioned is worthy of praise. I just want to make sure that Wayne Meylan isn't left out of the discussion in this "Year of Suh".
Now, to guys who in my opinion have no comparables--or very few. And those guys are the defensive back quartet of Alfonzo Dennard, Prince Amukamara, Eric Hagg, and Dejon Gomes. These guys are doing pass defense like we have seldom seen--certainly not since Barron Miles and Ralph Brown were patrolling the d-backfield. And even then, considering that the spread offense hadn't really gotten going 10-15 years ago, I think the work these 4 guys have done is flat-out something else.
What a bunch! What thrills they gave us this year!
Go Big Red!!!
The Old Husker Fan
First, the comparisons:
Niles Paul---He's had his maddening moments this year, notably against Iowa State when he fumbled at the end of the long pass play late in the 2nd quarter. But there is no doubt that he has some "mad skillz" when it comes to being a threat. His running on the reverse, the long TD pass, and hsi continued effectiveness on returns bring Irving Fryar to mind. That's good company, and I think after what he's done, that Paul deserves such a comparison. I won't put him into Johnny Rodgers's light, though--at least not right now. The Jet was truly something special. But if Paul keeps this up, I will happily concede otherwise.
Rex Burkhead---Don at the New Year's Eve part we were at last night said that Burkhead reminds him of Tony Davis---the Tecumseh Tornado--who was a fiery bundle of energy at I-back in the early 1970s. I can see that. #22 has got some combativeness. I'd like to offer another suggested throwback--and that would be Jeff Kinney, he of the 4-TD showing against Oklahoma in the 1971 Game Of The Century. Regardless--it's obvious why Husker head guy Bo Pelini made such a big deal out of Burkhead's potential at Football 202 last summer. And there is no doubt that if Burkhead hadn't gotten hurt, the Iowa State loss would not have happened.
Ndamukong Suh---Simply, "wow". Where do you start with this guy and what he's accomplished this year? There's been a ton of copy put down about Suh and his play--all well earned---not the least of which was his major face time with Erin Andrews at the end of the Holiday Bowl. This guy's strength and quickness combo has brought up names like Rich Glover, Larry Jacobson (both stars of Devaney's best team in 1971), John Dutton (Osborne's first team in 1973), John Parrella of the early 1990s, and the Peter brothers in the mid-90s who were highlight players in the glory years of T.O.'s mid-'90s dynasty.
Well, in keeping with my Old Husker Fan persona, I'd like to make sure that another name is brought into the discussion of "Suh is like..."---and that is Wayne Meylan from the mid-1960s. Just like Suh, Meylan was practically unblockable. He was a true force of nature in his dominance of the line. He was a consensus All-American. And, like Suh, he wasn't just an immovable object in the line. He was also capable of scoring in his own right. Meylan was a guy who could block kicks and still had the quickness and dexterity to grab the ball and take it in. That's a special set of talents for sure. Everybody who's been mentioned is worthy of praise. I just want to make sure that Wayne Meylan isn't left out of the discussion in this "Year of Suh".
Now, to guys who in my opinion have no comparables--or very few. And those guys are the defensive back quartet of Alfonzo Dennard, Prince Amukamara, Eric Hagg, and Dejon Gomes. These guys are doing pass defense like we have seldom seen--certainly not since Barron Miles and Ralph Brown were patrolling the d-backfield. And even then, considering that the spread offense hadn't really gotten going 10-15 years ago, I think the work these 4 guys have done is flat-out something else.
What a bunch! What thrills they gave us this year!
Go Big Red!!!
The Old Husker Fan
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