Husker Extra live chat: Steven M. Sipple, 3/13/17

Talk all things Huskers with Steve Sipple during his weekly live chat, every Monday.

I have to sign off to go to Ken and Ryly Jane's in-house retirement party. Take care!

by Steven M. Sipple 3/13/2017 7:51:28 PM

3rd & 7 37yd

OK, let's roll ...

by Steven M. Sipple 3/13/2017 6:37:55 PM
I just wanna say I'm going to miss Ken Hambleton and Ryly Jane. I hope they enjoy their retirement.

While shivering at the baseball game the other day I started thinking that NU might have one of the best punting coaches in the country on staff in Darin Erstad . I know spring is a bad time for him to work with them because of the baseball conflict but I was wondering if he has in the fall or winter – or is even allowed to?

by Benchwarmer 3/13/2017 6:38:10 PM
@Benchwarmer: I appreciate you saying that about Ken and Ryly Jane. They are incredible people -- "kind" doesn't do them justice. I will miss them a ton. As for your question, I get the feeling sometimes that specialists are so specialized that they don't want a lot of outside voices in their realm. Maybe Erstad could help Caleb Lightbourn's consistency. But maybe having Bob Diaco's help is enough for NU punters.

by Steven M. Sipple 3/13/2017 6:41:30 PM
How are the Davis brothers doing?

by John E 3/13/2017 6:41:31 PM
@JohnE: Carlos Davis is No. 1 at shortside DE, and Khalil Davis backs up Mick Stoltenberg at nose tackle. With no live tackling yet, it's hard to tell exactly how well they're progressing.

by Steven M. Sipple 3/13/2017 6:43:00 PM
Running back progess and are there any ameer abdullah or burkhead in the rb room?

by John E 3/13/2017 6:43:03 PM
@JohnE: I would say no in a definitive fashion right now, though there is plenty of time for
Tre Bryant to develop, and Jaylin Bradley will arrive this summer.

by Steven M. Sipple 3/13/2017 6:43:48 PM
The world knows Gebbia will redshirt but how's he looked anyway?

by Zadi 3/13/2017 6:44:41 PM
@Zadi: Gebbia clearly has potential. I really like the way he goes about his business -- unassuming and hard-working. He takes control of the offense pretty well for a true freshman, which obviously says a lot. He seems to have some bite at the line of scrimmage. He has a strong arm. His accuracy is good. But he is over-matched physically right now at 6-3 and I'm guessing 165 pounds. However, as Mike Riley has said, when it's time for Gebbia to be physically ready, he'll be physically ready.

by Steven M. Sipple 3/13/2017 6:47:58 PM
I know the cart is WAY ahead of the horse here, but could Diaco one day supplant Riley as HC? Assuming NU continues to trend up in both recruiting and wins, Riley probably has 5-7 years left??

by FLhusker 3/13/2017 6:47:59 PM
@FLhusker: I think that's a definite possibility, assuming Diaco would want to return to CEO status. I think it's an interesting question because of Diaco's hands-on approach to coaching defense and linebackers. He really seems to enjoy that part -- having his own group to coach. Of course, a CEO-type head coach must forego that type of interaction with a position group. On other hand, those Power-5 head-coaching gigs seem to pay pretty well.

by Steven M. Sipple 3/13/2017 6:53:32 PM
before everyone gets carried away with the resume of diaco. Remember pelini's resume. along with diaco using a 2 gap system as well. does diaco use a match up zone defense as well? an what exactly is this no crease defense?

by jw 3/13/2017 6:53:53 PM
@jw: I really appreciate your restraint in assessing Diaco. "Restraint" is largely a foreign word to media that covers Nebraska football. You hear a ton of hype. Then again, Diaco's resume' is impressive. As far as the technical aspects of his defense, I need to learn more before addressing it in this type of forum.

by Steven M. Sipple 3/13/2017 6:55:00 PM
Now that he is definitely coming back next year, how do you perceive Tim Miles' contract will be handled by Eichorst? Miles' buyout is $75,000/mo. if he is terminated w/o cause (offset by any other contract he signs after termination). Thus any additional extension would potentially obligate NU to $900,000/yr. of the extension if Miles is eventually fired.

by Newport Red 3/13/2017 6:56:21 PM
@NewportRed: Eichorst plans to speak to media after the Final Four (April 1/3 in Glendale, Arizona). That will be one of my top three questions. In my opinion, Eichorst should extend Miles' current contract. Go all-in.

by Steven M. Sipple 3/13/2017 6:58:51 PM
if miles is gone next year, what ar the chances of the whichita state coach being linked to nebraska as a canidate. hes reallly the only mid major coach thats a consistent winner at that level, or if nc states coach is out as well.

by jw 3/13/2017 6:58:53 PM
@jw: I've asked around about Marshall, and the consensus is he would want something bigger than Nebraska.

by Steven M. Sipple 3/13/2017 7:00:12 PM
I've been reading a lot of good things about McQuitty so far. I know he's currently recovering from shoulder surgery, but does it look like he'll be another play maker we desperately need at receiver this year?

by Reed 3/13/2017 7:01:43 PM
@Reed: It's tough to say. But Keith Williams has told me that McQuitty reminds him a lot of Stanley Morgan Jr. in terms of style of play -- aggressiveness, strong hands, ability to go up and get the ball over a corner.

by Steven M. Sipple 3/13/2017 7:04:51 PM
How would you access that when things go bad in NU basketball and NU football they go really bad in a big way , almost like a defeatist attitude ? How does that get corrected?

by Buzz M 3/13/2017 7:04:53 PM
@BuzzM: If I knew that, I would be making a ton of money as a sports psychologist.

by Steven M. Sipple 3/13/2017 7:06:14 PM
Have you asked around about Mark Few? Is he even in the conversation?

by Newport Red 3/13/2017 7:06:18 PM
@NewportRed: I think you might be shooting too high.

by Steven M. Sipple 3/13/2017 7:06:37 PM
with diaco being the at the helm of the defense an coaching linebackers. which of the two would end up leaving for a better opportunity career wise? diaco to be a head coach or bray to become a d cord?

by jw 3/13/2017 7:06:38 PM
@jw: I'm going with Bray leaving to become a coordinator. My personal opinion of Bray is he is too good -- has too bright of a future in the business -- to be coaching in such a secondary role.

by Steven M. Sipple 3/13/2017 7:09:18 PM
how well do you see nebraska next year? everyone points to the 2018 schedule being tough as nails. @ oregon, home wisc, home ohio state,@ minn,@ penn state,home iowa. do we have the depth to 4-2 out of those games? the last 3 or in nov.

by jw 3/13/2017 7:09:19 PM
@jw: Those November road games (Minnesota, Penn State) get your attention. Better pack a run game, right? I do think 4-2 is doable in those games you mention.

by Steven M. Sipple 3/13/2017 7:13:04 PM
Hey Sip, lets jump into the QB story. Lee has the experience on his side, but if they both grade out the same on their execution on the field, shouldnt you go with the younger guy? The experience should equate to better play so if it isnt showing on the field, wouldnt you want to go with getting POB experience?

by unclelarry 3/13/2017 7:13:06 PM
@unclelarry: I think it always should come down to going with the guy who gives you the best chance to win whatever game is next on the schedule. I try not make it much more complicated than that.

by Steven M. Sipple 3/13/2017 7:17:22 PM
Do you see Miles making any major assistant coaching changes?

by Derek 3/13/2017 7:17:24 PM
@Derek: Valid question. I have no inside information in that regard. My guess is he'll stand pat. Just a guess. I think Tim really likes his staff from a recruiting standpoint.

by Steven M. Sipple 3/13/2017 7:19:09 PM
Mark Few makes 1.3 million/yr. and plays in a conference with high school capacity arenas (3,500 at St. Mary's). Do you think offering him 3 million/yr. or more and playing in a conference with only one arena less than 10,000 (Northwestern) would not be tempting? Few is 54 and attracts NCAA tournament talent (18 times in 18 years) to Spokane (not a population Mecca) with Washington State and Idaho just down the road.

by Newport Red 3/13/2017 7:19:11 PM
@NewportRed: My guess is there would be jobs available to Few that would be a bit more enticing than Nebraska's. Yes, NU holds appeal. But I think we both agree that Few could do much better.

by Steven M. Sipple 3/13/2017 7:22:11 PM
do you see diaco clashing with riley when daico has said he has mentioned if you run the football more then i think 200 or 250 yards, the chance of winning highly improves. clashing as in 3 in outs were we have to many 3 an outs (where two of those 3 downs were incompletions).

by jw 3/13/2017 7:22:13 PM
@jw: There is always that possibility. But I think maybe we're worrying about a hypothetical.

by Steven M. Sipple 3/13/2017 7:24:49 PM
How much do you attribute Miles staying to his personality. If he was like Pelini he'd be gone, right?

by redcornman 3/13/2017 7:24:50 PM
@redcornman: I think the fact Miles is an excellent ambassador for the school helped his cause. How much did it help? It's impossible to say.

by Steven M. Sipple 3/13/2017 7:25:35 PM
Few is like those 4- and 5-star athletes we obsess about getting. You have no chance of getting them if you don't try.

by Newport Red 3/13/2017 7:25:38 PM
@NewportRed: I agree only to an extent. Nebraska made a run at Foster Sarell, and it turns out Nebraska really had no chance and therefore wasted its time. When an AD is in the midst of a coaching search, there typically isn't much time to waste.

by Steven M. Sipple 3/13/2017 7:27:27 PM
Why in the world are people, jw, interested in creating conflict between Diaco and Riley. I think both of them want to WIN, how we get there I don't think anyone cares. I think it should not be a surprise to anyone that Riley like balance, that's what a pro style offense is!!

by CD 3/13/2017 7:27:29 PM
@CD: I agree with your assessment about Riley and the run game. I never question whether he thinks a run game is valuable, in part because of the importance of the play-action game. It's hard to be effective in play-action if the run game isn't a consistent threat.

by Steven M. Sipple 3/13/2017 7:29:47 PM
Not letting you off the hook Steve on my question about what you would do if you have two players that both give you the same chance to win but one is younger. Lee and POB are pretty close in style, so not like deciding between dual threat and drop back. This could go for any other position too. JD over Keyan or Raridan over Decker.

Just seeing what your philosophy is for who you would play. Osborne seem to go with the older player as a reward for service which is admirable, but wouldnt it be better to go with getting the younger player to build their experience?

by unclelarry 3/13/2017 7:29:59 PM
@unclelarry: It's a difficult question/discussion because there are so many variables. But I go back to what I said earlier: I favor the player who, in a particular week, gives me the best chance to win. Given fans' impatience, if I were a head coach, I wouldn't be overly concerned about building experience for the future. At places like Nebraska, you have to win big (minimum nine/10 games) NOW, or else you won't have a future.

by Steven M. Sipple 3/13/2017 7:34:44 PM
I'd look at Dave Rice. Nevada Reno assistant this year after getting fired as HC at UNLV by the most disfunctional athletic department in the entire universe. He also played on national championship Rebel team in the 90s. Excellent coach.

by Zadi 3/13/2017 7:34:48 PM
@Zadi: Interesting name. Thanks Zadi.

by Steven M. Sipple 3/13/2017 7:38:10 PM

Husker Extra live chat: Steven M. Sipple, 3/13/17

Talk all things Huskers with Steve Sipple during his weekly live chat, every Monday.

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