the remaking of a kitchen

we just returned from the spring game weekend in lincoln. it was a full and busy weekend, with the game a highlight! there were amazing lines of people with general admission tickets waiting to be admitted to the stadium. the attendance was flashed up on the big display sign as 80,149 - that would be for a scrimage. amazing. it felt good to actually want to be there again, to want to be a part of the whole thing after four depressing years. there were a lot of symbolic things, the one being a triple option on the first play of the game, in honor of tom osborne. that was wrecked by a defensive player blocking the pass, but hey, after last years' defensive play it was a bit of a celebration!
it was hard to say what the situation will be next year. in general, i just have to say that it FEELS better. the defense was running to the ball, and looked like they knew what they were doing, and felt good about it. they looked like a team. there were mistakes and that's to be expected. it's a new system, and there are a lot of guys who haven't played previously. sadly, some of them have been around for 4 years, and their main problem may have been the lack of stars bestowed on them by the rating gurus. one of those guys was the one making the fantastic block on the first play! they are so glad to finally have a chance. this group of coaches made it clear that every one was starting out fresh. it didn't make any difference what they'd done in the past, they had to perform now and would be graded on that.
one thing that i'd not seen previously was the presence of several coaches on the field during the game. they were in the backfield, obviously observing, and some times calling out directions to players. they always seem to be teaching. this group seems to realize that these are student athletes and they need to be taught how to play the game.....it's a lot different than playing in high school!

Labels: new system, spring game