NU Notebook

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Nebraska continues to shuffle offensive line


Continuing with the theme of interchangeable positions along the offensive line, Nebraska coaches on Monday experimented by moving Darren DeLone to left tackle from his usual spot on the right side.


"It's weird, man," DeLone said of the switch. "It's a different stance. It throws you off. But you have to do it if you want to play at the next level."

Nebraska head coach Bill Callahan said the Huskers still are searching for a definitive starting five in the o-line. Sophomore Kurt Mann of Grand Island was listed No. 1 at left tackle entering spring drills. He spent time at center Monday.
"It's tough right now because we don't have the continuity of a starting unit," Callahan said, noting that starting center Richie Incognito had to leave Monday's practice early because of a class conflict.


"It's frustrating," Callahan said. "You get late in the practice, in key drills where you need your starting center making the critical calls, and academics take precedence."


- NU ADDS TO STAFF: Michael Christianson, a former Tampa Bay Buccaneers quality-control coach, has joined the Husker staff as an administrative assistant for computer and video technology. He will oversee daily operation of the football program's technology areas, including all operations involving video, computer and electronics. In addition, he will play a lead role in developing the technology that will be used in the Tom and Nancy Osborne Athletic Complex, scheduled to open in 2006, and will assist in other football administrative duties. "Mike brings an element of expertise in every aspect of technology," Callahan said. "He is on the cutting edge of every technical scouting program that exists in the National Football League as well as in college football." Christianson sat out last season after serving on the staff that guided Tampa Bay to the Super Bowl victory over Callahan's Oakland Raiders following the 2002 season.


- PRACTICE REPORT: Callahan said Monday's workout — NU's ninth of the spring season — was highlighted by some red zone scrimmaging in which the defense responded well after allowing the offense the upper hand during similar action on Saturday. Also, Callahan feels the passing game is improving, although he indicated it still has a ways to go. "From a system aspect, from a structural aspect, it is getting better," Callahan said. "We just have to connect more." He added that pass protection also suffered in a couple of Monday's drills. "(The offense) didn't answer the bell today," he said. The Huskers will take today off before returning to practice Wednesday.


- BIRKEL RETURNS: Sophomore receiver Andy Birkel, a Lincoln Southeast graduate, practiced for the first time this spring Monday after being sidelined with mononucleosis. "He responded fairly well," Callahan said. "He's way behind. It's going to be quite some time before he catches up. But I'm confident he'll be able to do that." Meanwhile, walk-on Matt Schroeder, a 6-foot-4, 215-pound junior from Belden, has been seeing time with the first-string offense as the third receiver behind Mark LeFlore and Ross Pilkington. Sophomore Isaiah Fluellen, the No. 1 "X" receiver on the pre-spring depth chart, remains sidelined by a hamstring injury suffered last week.


— Steven M. Sipple