Junior linebacker Phillip Dillard can't hide his enthusiasm when he talks about the changes in Nebraska's defense.
BRIAN ROSENTHAL / Lincoln Journal Star | Posted: Friday, August 8, 2008 7:00 pm
Junior linebacker Phillip Dillard can’t hide his enthusiasm when he talks about the changes in Nebraska’s defense.
“Physical. You’ve got to be physical," Dillard said. "If you’re not physical, you might as well get off the field. And that’s how it should be on any defense. If you’re not physical, then you don’t need to be out there.”
Dillard said he enjoys having the head coach (Bo Pelini) as a defensive coach.
“You know he’s really focused on it,” Dillard said. “It’s not just the defensive coaching staff keying on you, but your head coach keying on you."
Dillard had very good things to say about the defensive line, despite preseason concerns with the loss of Kevin Dixon (dismissed from team) and a back injury to Ty Steinkuhler.
“They’re really dominating,” he said. “That’s no lie.”
Dillard said if he’s ever in the backfield, it's because somebody up front took on a double team.
“You have no idea,” he said. “If you ever get a chance to go out and see them, they’re really coming off the ball. Coach Carl (Pelini) really has them coming off the ball. That really helps them. Even our secondary, they’re breaking on balls and sprinting like I’ve really never seen our secondary play before.”
This and that: Junior nose tackle Ndamukong Suh sat out the morning practice of Saturday’s two-a-day session, but Pelini said Suh is healthy. … Ty Steinkuhler, Jaivorio Burkes (high blood pressure) and LaTravis Washington (knee) did not practice. … Nebraska had a long special-teams practice Saturday morning and is scheduled for a full special-teams practice on Monday. … Nebraska on Friday began working in full pads, although Pelini said players have yet to do full tackling. “But that’s coming,” he said. … Sunday is a scheduled off day, although Pelini said players would have to earn it Saturday. He said players would still have some obligations Sunday. … Among a host of former players watching Saturday were Tommie Frazier, Riley Washington, Abdul Muhammad, Monte Christo, Ben Zajicek, Adam Ickes, Ben Eisenhart, Sean Wieting, Johnny Rodgers and Larry Frost.
Scouting report: OL Marcel Jones
The absence of No. 1 right tackle Burkes in the first week of fall camp has given Marcel Jones a chance to work with the top offensive unit.
Jones is a 6-foot-7, 310-pound redshirted freshman from Phoenix.
“It’s really beneficial, just showing everybody that I have a little bit of talent,” Jones said. “It’s really beneficial, being able to show the coaches I can do some certain things and increase my confidence within me.”
Like many linemen, Jones said he shed a few pounds in the offseason and feels more comfortable. He said he’s working to improve his strength and speed.
“That’s something I’ve really got to get better on,” Jones said.
Opponent watch: Virginia Tech
A program that is always strong on special teams has several holes to fill. Punter Brent Bowden is the lone returning starter among the specialists.
Of utmost concern for coach Frank Beamer is settling on kickers. Dustin Keys is the leader for place kicker; behind him on the depth chart are two walk-ons.
“Probably as important as any decision we'll make in August is going to be the place kicker,” Beamer said.
“We are also unsettled on a kickoff guy. At the end of spring practice, we didn't have a kicker who could consistently get the ball around the goal line or kick the ball into the end zone. Finding somebody who can is a priority.”
Several freshmen could also get a look at both return spots, where the Hokies must replace Eddie Royal and Josh Morgan.
Just asking: Who are the leading candidates to return punts?
Bo Pelini said he’s looking at “a number of different guys” for this position.
Three players who are at least getting a close look are sophomore receiver Niles Paul and true freshmen receivers Tim Marlowe and Khiry Cooper. They took turns fielding punts for the last 15 minutes of Saturday’s morning practice.