Potter sees Husker line improving
digg it!
Facebook
del.icio.us
Seed Newsvine
Fark It
Reddit
By BRIAN ROSENTHAL / Lincoln Journal Star
Nebraska’s football team returns all four starters along its defensive line.
Now, before you begin pondering whether that’s necessarily a good thing, hear what Zach Potter has to say about the situation.
Potter, a senior defensive end, knows from firsthand experience how the defensive line struggled last season. The gaping holes (USC game, anyone?) and lack of quarterback pressure (five games last season without a sack) immediately come to mind.
He’s also had a close view of this spring’s defensive makeover under a new coaching staff, led by head coach and defensive guru Bo Pelini and his brother, Carl, the defensive coordinator and defensive line coach. John Papuchis is assisting with the defensive ends.
“Just everything from what we do to start practices to the relationships we have with them in between drills,” Potter said of the new coaches, specifically Carl Pelini and Papuchis. “They’re always coaching us, whether it’s in between plays or when we come off the field from a set of plays.
“They’re always coaching us, and I think it’s really helping us a lot.”
So, what are the results?
Let’s start with aggressiveness off the football. And improved effort.
“You always see us downfield, whereas last year you might see us just dragging behind a little bit,” Potter said. “This year, we’re always around the ball.”
There are also more turnovers. (You remember what those are, right?) Potter said he hasn’t seen this many turnovers in practices in, well, a long while.
Nebraska fans saw a whopping 11 turnovers — eight interceptions, three fumble recoveries — forced by the Huskers all of last season.
Potter attributes the higher number of interceptions by secondary players and linebackers — Cody Glenn has accounted for three turnovers in four practices since moving to linebacker — to better defensive line pressure on the quarterback.
“Our technique, basically, is night and day from what it was last year,” Potter said. “Last year, we were more of a gap defense, now we’re basically playing our man.
“It’s not really they’re telling us something different, they’re teaching us something different.”
Carl Pelini, for one, is noticing.
“They’re starting to really take to the new techniques,” Pelini said. “We’re getting really aggressive off the football, getting hands on guys — all the things I’m looking for that weren’t necessarily there when we first started.
“It’s getting there. I’m excited about their progress.”
Potter and senior Barry Turner return as starters at defensive end. Behind them are senior Clayton Sievers and sophomore Pierre Allen.
No longer are the ends referred to as open and base; instead, they’re simply labeled left and right. Pelini said he’s been flipping ends every day so they’re comfortable on either side.
Inside, senior Ty Steinkuhler returns at defensive tackle but is also working at nose tackle. Senior Kevin Dixon is working at both inside spots, as is redshirted freshman Terrence Moore. Senior Shukree Barfield is practicing primarily at nose tackle.
Junior tackle Ndamukong Suh is out for the spring with a knee injury, but Pelini said he’s impressed with Suh’s involvement.
“He’s in meetings, he’s listening, he’s at practice, he’s taking an active role in all the drills, he’s talking to the players after reps,” Pelini said. “He’s involved. He’s not just standing off to the side, and I love it when I see that.”
When asked about depth — particularly experienced depth — Pelini said he’s not concerned.
“I think we have enough talent to create some depth,” he said, “and I think we’re going to be fine there.
“I’m excited about the group as a whole. When you coach defensive line, one thing — you can never get too involved in one or two individuals. Although there’s always the standouts come the season, you’ve got to develop 10 or 12 guys, because that’s how many it takes to make it through a season up there.”
Pelini said it’s too early to determine whether highly touted incoming freshman Baker Steinkuhler could bolster the defensive line or if he’ll play on the offensive line. Steinkuhler has said he doesn’t care where he plays.
“We probably have to get through spring and figure out where our depth is and where he’s most needed,” Pelini said, “and make a decision at that time.”
With or without Steinkuhler, the defensive line “has a lot of potential,” Pelini said.
“They can be awfully good, but it’s not just going to come,” he said. “They’re going to have to be the hardest-working group on this team.”
Reach Brian Rosenthal at 473-7436 or brosenthal@journalstar.com.
Most Commented news