NU NOTEBOOK: Dailey, Husker offense have tough day

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BY STEVEN M. SIPPLE Lincoln Journal Star

Sophomore quarterback Joe Dailey knew there would be difficult days this spring as Nebraska installed an offense radically different than last year's.
Wednesday was the most difficult practice yet, Dailey said.


"I'd say this was probably the first day we had more trouble than we usually do," Dailey said after the Huskers completed their sixth of 15 spring practices.
Wednesday's workout was highlighted by goal-line scrimmaging that was dominated by the defense, said Nebraska head coach Bill Callahan.


"We have a long ways to go on offense yet," Callahan said.

Of course, Callahan expects growing pains as Nebraska installs large segments of the West Coast offense on a daily basis.


"Everybody hears ‘West Coast offense,' and they think you're going to sprinkle magic dust over the offense and you're going to have 400 and 500 yards," Callahan said. "It's been a work in progress, and the guys have worked hard. They've studied and done everything we've asked them to do.


"We have a limited amount of offense compared to what I'm accustomed to. But it's a lot for a college football player. We keep trying to go back over the things we need to work on. But today we didn't have the practice we wanted to."


The West Coast offense is far too complicated to learn in one spring, Dailey said.


"This is a lifelong process," he said. "(Oakland Raiders quarterback) Rich Gannon spent eight years in this offense. This isn't something a quarterback can get down in a matter of four weeks. This is something a quarterback gets down in a matter of three to four years."


As was the case last season, Nebraska quarterbacks have plays written on their wristbands to help them along.


"We had the wristbands last year, but we didn't have 145 plays on them," Dailey said.


INJURY REPORT: Sophomore receiver Isaiah Fluellen missed Wednesday's practice with a pulled hamstring suffered Monday. Fluellen's status will be evaluated on a day-to-day basis, Callahan said. Senior offensive lineman Darren DeLone missed Wednesday's workout with an unspecified illness. "They're going to be doing some tests on him," Callahan said. In addition, senior receiver Jack O'Holleran is recovering from an abdominal injury that will sideline him for at least two weeks. O'Holleran may face surgery, Callahan said.


BRIGHT FUTURES: Callahan said he likes what he's seen from redshirt freshman tight ends J.B. Phillips and Josh Mueller. "There are tremendous roles for them next season," Callahan said. "I look at their height, weight and speed. ... They're big, blocking tight ends. We're asking them to stretch the field and run vertical (routes) and try to get open. But their strength is blocking."


HERE AND THERE: NU's Richie Incognito was one of 35 centers named to the Dave Rimington Trophy's preseason watch list. ... Nebraska returns to the practice field Friday. ...The Huskers will have their first major spring scrimmage Saturday.


QUOTABLE: Husker senior linebacker Barrett Ruud, on NU's new offense: "It's probably the most complicated offense I've ever seen. Guys are always moving, always shifting around before the ball snaps. It's a tough offense to defend."