| BHF Mailbag Archives | Original Post Date: 05/17/06 |
“We hear so much about these drills, especially during the summer. Can you explain the positions on each side of the ball? Also, how does information on how players are doing in terms of conditioning and drills get passed on to coaches during the summer since NCAA rules prohibit coaches actually participating in this stuff?” Submitted by sa husker.
Answer:
First as to the 7-on-7 drills, it depends are we speaking of the 7-on-7 passing drills? There are different variations that may be used, but I’ll attempt to give you one example as to the make-up of the drill:
1. There is a predetermined number of plays per quarter.
2. All the plays take place in the open field.
3. All forms of running plays will be allowed except for QB runs. The offense is NOT allowed to block.
4. The QB must take a "normal" drop or fake to at least one back.
5. The QB must release the ball in a predetermined amount of time. (Usually from 3.2-seconds if there is no Center, 3.5-seconds if there is a Center.)
6. Bump and Run: A defender may bump a receiver only once and contact must be made with the hands only.
7. Play ends when the ball carrier is tagged with 1 hand anywhere on the body.
There is also a predetermined system for scoring, some examples here are:
1. Offense
a. 1 point - play that gains 5 yards
b. 1 point - defensive pass interference or defensive holding
c. 2 points - play that gains 15 to 30 yards
d. 3 points - play that gains 30 yards (TD)
2. Defense
a. 1 point - causing an incomplete pass
b. 1 point - offensive pass interference
c. 1 point - QB fails to throw within 3.50 seconds (3.20 if no center)
d. 1 point - intentional grounding by the offense
e. 1 point - 3 consecutive plays with no one scoring
f. 3 points - interception
3. No Points
a. Incomplete pass
b. Play that gains less than 5 yards
c. Pass to an ineligible receiver
There are also other variations where the QB has 4.0-seconds to release the ball and where no running plays are allowed. Penalties are also enforced. So the answer to your question may vary as to what particular 7-on-7 drill the coaches are running at any given time. The scoring system may also vary to pick up what the coaching staff deems important.
There are many 7-on-7 tournaments in various states on the prep level nationwide. Each state has their own rules, and when utilized at the collegiate level they are tailored to many variations by each programs’ coaching staff.
As for the second part of your question regarding how the information from summer conditioning gets passed on to the coaches. What NCAA rules prohibit are team formal organized workouts directed by the coaching staff and practices. The informal workouts as well as the strength and conditioning programs are meted out prior to this to each individual player. The players still sign in for their workouts and conditioning sessions. They are held accountable by the staff on hand. This information is then readily available to the coaches, who can have contact with their players throughout the year.
So while it is not as formal as it is during spring or Fall practices or the regular season there is still close tabs on the players and their development throughout the summer months.
Answer contributed by The Big Red Emperor.
Question:
“When I looked at the BCS games last season, for the most part, the teams playing in them were complete teams, having offense, defense, and special teams. Are there any teams in the Big 12 that are 'complete' and if not, what is each team missing?” Submitted by Coloradosker.
Answer:
A very intriguing question and a very time consuming one as well.
Baylor is a team that is probably never going to be top in the Big 12 but they do manage to upset a few teams and play others closer than expected. They haven’t done very well recruiting since 2002 and have only landed two or three high caliber four-star recruits. The biggest weaknesses for this team will be defensive back since they lost most of the starters. Also on offense they will need to find a solid quarter back. I think they will probably finish towards the bottom of the south division again and probably have close to a break even or losing record.
Colorado has itself a new coach in Hawkins. As we all know taking a struggling team and making it better isn’t an easy task. The players will have a learning curve with the new plays and system. Since 2002 CU hasn’t done the best job recruiting. They have landed 7 four-star players in that time span. Failure to lock up some of the states best talent has cost them some quality players. On offense one of their weaknesses will be replacing quarterback Klatt. While Klatt didn’t have much of a game against the Huskers he does hold double digit records for CU, which total close to 30. So replacing him will be a struggle. On defense the Buffs lose two starters at the linebacker spot so replacing them might be tough. While I don’t think they will win the north they should probably finish with a middle place finish in the north division.
Iowa State has been a program steadily on the rise in the north but has it reached its peak? Thanks to some solid recruiting efforts and player development the Cyclones have had successful seasons the past few years mainly do to improve play from the offense especially the quarterback and wide receiver positions. Since 2002 ISU has only managed to land eight four-star players. Despite the lack of superior talent they have had many solid players. Their biggest weakness on offense could be the uncertainty of the running backs and making sure injury prone Hicks is good to go. On defense their secondary looses most of the starters making them more vulnerable against passing attacks. Having solid receivers and proven quarterback the Cyclones should find themselves towards the top of the north
Kansas has also been improving significantly the last few years under Mangino. The big fella has turned the program around and got KU into some much deserved bowl games. Since 2002 the Jayhawks have only managed two land five four-star players. Despite the lack of talent the Jayhawks have been able to develop their players to fit the system. On offense the biggest worry will be finding a capable and dominating quarterback to lead the offense. On defense replacing defensive back Gordon and a couple very talented linebackers could be difficulty. I am expecting the Jayhawks to have an average year and probably fall towards the bottom or middle of the north division.
Kansas State is the other Big 12 team to undergo coaching changes as Prince has been called around to turn the Wildcats program around. Once again new coaches, schemes, and plays will all take time to gel. The good news is that most of the defense and all of the quarterbacks are returning. The bad news is no one has really emerged as the go to quarterback. This is a team that is either going to get everything together or flop this year. Since 2002 the Wildcats have landed several five-star prospects and eighteen four-star players. The talent is there but unfortunately most of it is defense so there will be probably struggles with offense especially when there is no dominant quarterback. Realistically I see the Wildcats getting an average or slightly better record. They could make a run for north title if the coaches had a few more years with the players and their weren’t so many uncertainties on offense.
Missouri is going to be a hard to figure out team. Replacing a man that did it all in Brad Smith will be more than a challenge. Having the ability to beat you with his arm or feet is what hurt many teams including the Blackshirts. Despite losing Smith, Daniel appears to be just as good as passer but without the mobility. Since 2002 the Tigers have had 17 four-star recruits but unfortunately they haven’t had much recruiting luck the last two years. Obviously their biggest concern on offense will be quarterback. The problem here won’t be finding some one that can throw but rather accounting for the all-purpose yards that Smith gave them. On defense they should be solid but nothing spectacular. If there was a weakness it could be defensive back. This is another group that should be solid with a good stable of backs, a good gunslinger and a few good tight ends. The big question is how will the defense be and what kind of production will they get from a group of relatively young receivers. I would expect about an average record for them and middle spot in the north.
Oklahoma State is a team that could be poised for a break out year if they get solid play from their quarterback. They return a solid group at receiver and running back and the defense isn’t too bad. The only weaknesses I see are getting a quarterback that can be a leader and deliver the ball and a defensive line that can stop the run and apply a pass rush. Since 2002 they have managed to land several five-star players and sixteen four-star players. They played Texas really close last year before losing. The team has talent but they play in the tougher part of the Big 12. I would expect them to have an average year and probably fluctuate a bit in the middle.
Oklahoma has had outstanding success under Stoops and this year probably won’t be any different. Since 2002 the Sooners have landed numerous four and five-star players and have loads of talent and practically every position. Most of the talent is young but players like Peterson help make this team that much more dangerous. On offense the biggest question will be replacing most of the offensive line and establish a solid rotation to pave the way for the potential Heisman candidate. Bomar has progressed a bit this season and should be better than last year. On defense it is about as solid as you can get there really aren’t many weaknesses. I would expect them to once again finish towards the top of the Biq 12 South and contend for the Big 12 title.
Texas is team that is preseason top 10 if you ask most people or analysts. However losing Young and filling his big shoes will be tough for who ever takes over. Therefore quarterback is probably the only concern on offense. They have a solid group of young quarterbacks but most don’t have much experience. On defense they lost a few key players to the NFL but it should still be a solid group with oozing talent similar to the Sooners thanks to a great backyard to recruit out of. They should stay towards the top of the Big 12 south and if they get quality play from their quarterback it could even push them to the top.
Texas A&M needs to get going. This team has struggled to put together a few years of success lately and the head coach could be feeling some pressure. Their dynamic quarterback is gone leaving questions of the offensive side of the ball. On defense their defensive backs may be the weakest link like several other big 12 teams. Since 2002 they have managed three five-star players and over thirty 4-star players. The talent is there and they have done a solid job of in state recruiting. Getting the team to gel and the players to play up to their hype will be a couple of important factors. I could see them landing slightly above average depending upon the play of the quarterback.
Texas Tech is known for their offense but will they be this year. Once again their quarterback is gone but this time they will have to replace a very good running back in Henderson. Several receivers leave as well adding a few more question marks. On defense the Red Raiders may be most worried about the linebackers. Since 2002 they have managed to recruit and develop players to fit their system. Getting commitments from one five-star and thirteen four-star players gives them some solid talent. This could be a down year unless they can get the same offensive firepower from this group. I would expect an average or worse rating but the potential is there.
Last but not least are the Huskers. We have been talking about them more than the others so I wont say too much. Since 2002 the Huskers have hauled in four five-star players and over twenty-five four-star players, with most of them coming in Callahan’s last two classes. On offense this about as loaded team as we have had in some time. On defense the only real question mark I see is the play of the safeties but it very well could be quite solid despite the potential starters not having much safety playing experience. The Huskers are my pick and many others pick to win the north and contend for the Big 12 title. If you are looking for a complete team I would say the Huskers are probably one of the most complete teams in the conference.
As you can see there are holes in each team but some teams have more and even more noticeable holes. With coaching changes, players leaving for the draft, and highly touted players on the way there is still a lot that can happen. However it is safe to say that if there was a team or two that fit the complete or dominant term it could be the Huskers, Sooners, or they Longhorns. These three are probably the strongest and best coached.
Answer contributed by Redalert.
Question:
“I am trying to find out if Nebraska will be home or visitors for the Big XII game.“ Submitted by Oklahomas_Huskers.
Answer:
I am going to go out on a limb here and assume that this question is in reference to the Big XII Championship Game. The 2006 Dr. Pepper Big XII Championship Game will be held on December 2nd (7:00 p.m. CST) at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. The Big 12 North representative will be designated the “home” team.
Answer contributed by The Big Red Emperor.
Question:
“Not sure if this question board is for football related questions only, but if we could outside of that scope, I would like to ask a Husker Baseball question. My question is since the Huskers are pretty much the premier North team anymore, what are some of the areas of the country that Mike Anderson and his staff heavily recruit. Also, are there services available that rank the top 100 players annually, like rivals does for football? I ask because I really have no knowledge of the incoming players each year until the hit the field for the 1st time. Thanks in advance.” Submitted by Nate04.
Answer:
To begin, any and all questions are welcome in the BHF Mailbag, they do not necessarily have to be football related. So thank you for submitting a baseball question.
There are not many well-known central sources for college baseball recruiting like there is for football. There are a couple of things that make baseball recruiting much different than football, and thus making it harder to follow. For one, many (but not all) of the best high school baseball players will get drafted and sign contracts with major league organizations. So while many of them sign with a college, some do so only as a backup plan in case they don't get drafted as high as they expect or don't get offered as much money as they want.
The other thing that makes baseball recruiting harder to follow is the different schedule that it follows compared to football. In football, signing day occurs after every player has completed their senior season. In baseball however, the primary signing period occurs in November prior to their senior season. Some players are also picked up later in the Spring and Summer. As far as Nebraska baseball goes, the signings are always announced on the official Athletics web site, Huskers.com, and usually in the local newspapers as well. Some commitments are announced in the local media prior to signing - as with the commitment several days ago of Ben Kline from Omaha (NE) Central High School who is the first commitment for the 2007 recruiting class.
Nebraska recruits for baseball primarily in Nebraska, it’s bordering states, and the upper Midwest. It is a recruiting philosophy that was used by former NU baseball coach Dave Van Horn and has been continued on by current coach Mike Anderson. The coaches will first recruit the best players in the state of Nebraska and then venture into the surrounding states.
Nebraska recruits very well in the state of Iowa due to Iowa State not fielding a collegiate baseball team. Another factor in the success that Nebraska has had in recruiting Iowa is that the other programs in the state are not very good (on the field) on a consistent basis.
Nebraska also recruits very well in the state of Colorado because Colorado and Colorado State both do not field baseball clubs. Baseball coach Mike Anderson also has very good connections to the prep coaches around the state. After all coach Anderson is originally a Colorado native.
Nebraska also goes after the top talent in Kansas and Missouri, and usually gets a few prospects from those respective states. Nebraska also does a good job with recruiting within the Kansas Junior College ranks.
Nebraska has also done well recruiting the states of Minnesota and the Dakotas when a talented prospect (or two) comes out of those areas. There will usually be one or two players recruited from Texas, though they are usually power hitters. Primarily the coaches rely on Midwest or Northern players who may not possess as much talent overall as the warm-weather states, but who work hard and play hard on the diamond.
Answer contributed by HuskerBo.
Question:
“Who was Roger Craig’s backup when he played at Nebraska?” Submitted by Bill & Rita (4NU).
Answer:
Roger Craig played for Nebraska for 3 seasons; 1980-1981, 1981-1982, and 1982-1983. Roger started for two years at Nebraska. In 1981 he was the starter at I-back (1,060 yards rushing) and in 1982 he moved to Fullback (586 yards rushing) to make room for Mike Rozier at I-back.
In his second and third seasons, there were three pretty good I-backs on the roster. Roger Craig, Mike Rozier and Jeff Smith. Those three were all on the roster through the 1983 season. In addition Tim Brungardt was on the roster at the IB position and saw some time. And with the emergence of Rozier, Craig was used at FB and a receiver out of the backfield. So to answer your question, Jeff Smith and Tim Brungardt were the backups at I-back and fullbacks on the roster during that time were Mark Shellen and Tom Rathman.
Answer contributed by Bummerbry.