NU offense works hard to improve
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BYSTEVEN M. SIPPLE
Credit Nebraska offensive coaches for their unwavering optimism.
The offensive line will click on all cylinders someday soon, they say.
That day wasn't Friday.
"I thought we made plays on offense, but we have a long ways to go,"said Nebraska head coach Bill Callahan, in the midst of installing a complex West Coast offense. "We're still trying to do a better job with our pass protection and pressure pickup."
Indeed, the offensive line suffered its share of breakdowns during Nebraska's second spring scrimmage. The workout was moved inside Cook Pavilion because of recurrent drizzle.
Inside the pavilion, Husker defenders repeatedly poured into the offensive backfield.
At one point, defensive end Adam Carriker bolted in virtually untouched. Had it not been for quarterback Joe Dailey's "hands-off" green practice jersey, Nebraska today might be looking for a new starting quarterback.
Callahan, who took over as head coach on Jan. 9, said Dailey's progress has been hindered some by lack of adequate pass protection.
"We'd like to see the protection get shored up so we could get into a rhythm a little bit better," Callahan said after his team completed the 11th of 15 spring practices.
Nebraska coaches anticipated growing pains in the offensive line. After all, it has undergone major changes in personnel, scheme and technique.
At this point, only two regular starters from 2003 - center Richie Incognito and right guard Jake Andersen - are seeing significant time with the first string. What's more, Seppo Evwaraye, a defensive lineman last season, is in a battle for the starting job at right tackle.
"The guys are working hard, and (offensive line coach) DennisWagner is putting in a lot of extra time to rectify any problems we do have," Callahan said.
I-back Cory Ross echoes his coaches' optimism. Although the offensive line is struggling with pass blocking, it is doing well with its run blocking, Ross said.
"This is Nebraska,"Ross said."They're opening holes for us."
Ross, for the second straight scrimmage, broke off a run longer than 50 yards. He also had a long kickoff return near the end of the scrimmage.
Callahan said Ross has played well throughout spring practice.
"He's been a real pleasant surprise," said Callahan, praising Ross' ability as a runner, blocker and receiver.
"He's the most complete back I've seen in awhile on this level,"Callahan said.
Ross' longest run last season went for 23 yards. However, he came on strong toward the end of 2003, carrying 94 times for 436 yards during the final four games, an average of 4.6 yards per rush.
As for Dailey's performance, Callahan said, "For the most part, he's managing the system better, he's making better decisions - even though at times you see the ball flying up into the stands.
"You wonder, 'Why's he doing that?' But those are good, high-percentage decisions. We don't want him to take sacks, and we don't want him to throw the ball deep right down the middle, which is a cause of interceptions."
Dailey, a 6-foot, 205-pound sophomore, who appeared in eight games last season, fired a strike on a deep ball to tight end Matt Herian and scrambled for at least one large gain.
For the most part, however, the Nebraska defense had the upper hand.
"As a defense, I think we improved today," said end Jay Moore, who's emerged as a potential starter.
The 6-4, 260-pound Moore, a sophomore from Elkhorn, who was sidelined by injury last season, is practicing with the No. 1 defense at left end, where Benard Thomas started last season as a junior.
At right defensive end, junior Wali Muhammad has drawn praise from coaches for his play behind starter Carriker.
In the nickel package, the Huskers are using four ends - Muhammad, Carriker, Thomas and Moore - along the line, Muhammad said.
During last week's scrimmage, when most of the live action was in short-yardage situations, Muhammad wasn't much of a factor. But he was a major factor Friday.
"They let me run and get after the ball and just read my keys,"Muhammad said.
The 6-1, 240-pound Muhammad has recovered well from a spinal infection that sidelined him for almost all of last season. In 2002, his final season at Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College, Muhammad recorded a school-record 22 sacks.
"I feel a lot quicker now," he said. "I'm a lot leaner. Less fat. I'm just getting after it."
Offensive line struggles notwithstanding, Callahan breathed a sigh of relief because Nebraska suffered no major injuries.
Reach Steven M. Sipple at 473-7440 or ssipple@;journalstar.com.
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