Offense makes progress

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BYSTEVEN M. SIPPLE

Nebraska's new football coaches regard their fancy new offense as "a work in progress."

They expected the growing pains and steps backward that have characterized much of spring practice.

Saturday, however, Richie Incognito was proud to report the Huskers are suddenly taking steps forward as they attempt to master the many nuances of the West Coast attack.

"We finally have an idea of what we're doing," the Nebraska first-string center said after the eighth of 15 spring practices. "I mean, finally."

OK, so it wasn't exactly Brett Favre throwing strikes to streaking wideouts and Ahman Green slashing through creases. Nebraska did, however, show several signs of offensive competency Saturday at Memorial Stadium during a practice that included some live scrimmaging.

The new Husker coaching regime refers to it as "situational scrimmaging." It included live goal-line scrimmaging, short-yardage work, red zone plays, inside run drills and 7-on-7 passing competition. Coaches requested that the media not keep statistics.

Make no mistake, Nebraska's offense remains in its formative stages. But it made noticeable progress Saturday.

"They're beginning to get a feel for what we want to get accomplished within the system," said Nebraska head coach Bill Callahan. "Offensive football is trying to get on cycle and keep your rhythm. We found our rhythm down in the red zone. It was the first time we've had that type of success."

That explains why Nebraska offensive players hollered in delight and offensive coaches exchanged high-fives during the goal-line scrimmage, as the offense scored touchdowns on at least five consecutive plays, Incognito said.

"The defense whipped our butts a couple of days ago when we did the goal-line scrimmage," he said. "We came out today and put it to them. It was really the first time throughout spring ball that we had an understanding of what we were doing. That's why there was so much excitement."

Nebraska returns eight offensive starters, including three linemen, from last season's 10-3 team. However, the Huskers in 2003 were known mostly for stingy defense as their run-oriented offense sputtered to 345.0 yards per game to rank 83rd nationally.

Callahan, regarded as a West Coast offense guru, hopes for significant improvement as Nebraska diversifies its attack.

"This offense could be great," said Incognito, an All-Big 12 selection last season as a tackle. "The coaches are holding back some stuff right now for us to learn. We're just kind of perfecting stuff that they taught us during the first few practices. Once we get all the stuff in, and once we start perfecting it, we're going to have a real good offense.

"We can run pretty much the same play out of 10 different formations. We can move the defense all over the field and put them where we see fit."

Nebraska still desires a formidable rushing attack. Indeed, Incognito said, Husker offensive linemen study videotape of Denver Broncos' running plays from last season that covered at least six yards.

"We have that good mental picture of what it's supposed to look like," Incognito said. "The Broncos are running basically the same offensive package that we are. It's showing us the right footwork and what blocks are supposed to look like."

Nebraska linemen also are learning complicated pass-protection techniques. But all things considered, Incognito said, memorizing new terminology has been the most difficult part of the offensive transition process.

It's all about learning the new diction and applying it correctly, said Nebraska offensive line coach Dennis Wagner.

"It's like being in a Spanish class, and you have no background in the language,"Wagner said. "If you miss two days of class, you're in trouble. So, if you get behind on learning your plays, it just snowballs on you.

"You have to stay with it. You have to keep grinding in your books."

Nebraska's offense has made progress in the past couple of days, in part, because the installation of new plays has slowed dramatically. As a result, players don't have to stop and think as much.

"This offense is about shifts and motions and formation groupings," Wagner said."The core plays are in."

Incognito has learned the offense well, Wagner said. That's important because as the center, Incognito is the line's "field general,"Wagner said.

Center feels more natural for him than tackle, Incognito said.

"I feel really comfortable now at center,"said the 6-foot-3, 290-pound junior. "After eight practices, I finally got the quarterback-center exchange down pat. Now, I'm just working on footwork, technique and hand placement.

"I love center. It's a lot of fun. I really don't have to chase anybody around because they're right there for me to block."

Incognito was upbeat Saturday, obviously proud of the offense's progress.

"When we first started, nobody had a clue what was going on," he said. "We kind of lumbered through drills. Now, we have good tempo. We're clicking on all cylinders right about now."

Reach Steven M. Sipple at 473-7440 or ssipple@;journalstar.com.