LINCOLN — Nebraska is not changing its base defensive alignment despite speculation — some fueled by comments from NU players this spring — that it eliminated a linebacker spot in place of a fifth defensive back.
“Is it a 4-2-5?” defensive coordinator Carl Pelini said Wednesday inside the Hawks Center after the fifth practice of the spring. “To me, it's still a 4-3.”
The personnel has simply changed, Pelini said, particularly in the Huskers' Peso package, which utilizes 210-pound Eric Hagg as a linebacker. In the Peso, implemented late last season, Hagg shifts between linebacker and nickel back based on the offensive alignment and situation. It saves the Huskers from subbing personnel between base defense and its nickel alignment.
Austin Cassidy has done a nice job at the position, too, Pelini said. The Peso package also bolsters the linebacker depth.
The new terminology represents a minimal change from 2009, when the Huskers played their standard 4-3 defense only about five percent of the time.
“They're pretty used to it,” Pelini said. “The transition happened already.”
Few words between friends
Pelini said he's amused by the interaction between defensive tackles Jared Crick and Baker Steinkuhler — potentially the Huskers' starting pair on the defensive interior next fall.
Crick and Steinkuhler, apparently, are the strong, silent types.
“If the two of them sat in a room for three hours, they wouldn't exchange three words, yet they're good friends,” the defensive coordinator said.
Pelini said he recently asked Crick about watching TV at home.
Crick said he didn't own a TV. So Pelini asked Crick what he does. Crick said he reads.
Read what, asked the coach. Sometimes, books, Crick responded.
“What about when it's not a book? Cereal boxes?” Pelini said before giving up on the conversation.
Close competition among I-backs
The competition among top I-back Roy Helu, Rex Burkhead and Dontrayevous Robinson excites Tim Beck.
Just don't ask the running backs coach to rank the trio.
“We've got to see them a little bit more in live situations,” Beck said. “It seems every day, a different guy has a good day, and that's what makes it so difficult. They can all play for us and help us in certain situations. They're working on their weaknesses.”
Beck said he has worked with Helu, who rushed for 1,147 yards last season, on his pass blocking and at reducing his cuts in the backfield.
“Make one cut and go,” Beck said. “I felt he was trying to make too big of runs instead of getting back to center. He's running behind his pads and playing more physical.”
Helu was bothered by injuries — primarily a shoulder problem — but also lost carries late last season to Burkhead because the freshman earned the time.
Burkhead rushed 52 times in the final three games against Colorado, Texas and Arizona; Helu logged 27 carries during that same time, including just three in the Holiday Bowl.
“(Burkhead) had fresh legs,” Beck said. “It just felt right to keep him in the game. As a coach, you go with that feel thing. He was playing faster. He was seeing things better. He was playing with more energy. Roy wasn't, at times.”
Caputo battles all comers
It sounds as if junior Mike Caputo hasn't backed down an inch despite Nebraska moving other linemen over to give it a try at center.
“Caputo is a relentless little pit bull,” said Barney Cotton, the offensive line coach. “He's a good technician.
“He's undersized, but he's very mentally savvy and he's physically a relentless effort guy.
“We kid around. He says he's 6-foot, I say he's not. Actually he is, but it's like 6-foot even.”
The former walk-on from Millard North was No. 2 behind Jacob Hickman last season.
Among those playing some center in spring practice, however, are Mike Smith, a two-year starter at left tackle, and Cole Pensick, a former defensive lineman.
Asked about leadership developing on the offensive line with Hickman gone, Cotton mentioned Caputo first.
“He has to know it so well because he's making calls and telling the tackles and guards what to do up there,” Cotton said. “So he's part of it.”
About 17,000 tickets remain for spring game
About 17,000 tickets remain for the April 17 spring game after the NU athletic department reported Wednesday that about 63,800 have been sold.
Fans are encouraged to buy their tickets in advance to ensure timely delivery before the game and avoid possible long lines at the will-call window.
Reserved tickets are $10 each and may be purchased at Huskers.com, by calling 800-8-BIGRED or by visiting the athletic ticket office.
The Red-White game has sold out in advance during the past two years, leaving no game-day ticket sales.
— Mitch Sherman and Rich Kaipust
Copyright ©2012 Omaha World-Herald®. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, displayed or redistributed for any purpose without permission from the Omaha World-Herald.
RSS Feeds