Dear Mr.Sportsknowitall: Why do we not see pancake blocks anymore? Is football all about finesse these days? M.R.

Just knock 'em down. Actually, that takes talent, speed, balance, footwork and practice.

Nebraska's offensive line couldn't pancake people last year and, no surprise, it really can't pancake people this year.

The blocking these days is more of a crepe. You work your way up: blintz, muffin, waffle, french toast, sunny side up and finally pancake. Then you get sausage, biscuits and gravy. (I'm hungry).

Look, if Bo Pelini recruited 20 kids tomorrow, 10 on offense and 10 on defense, odds are that five defensive players could start or contribute next year. Offensively, maybe two. And if it's linemen, the defensive linemen would get a nod over offensive linemen. Look at the Osborne/Devaney/Solich years, and with the exception of Will Shields and a handful of others, the offensive line was made up of fourth- and fifth-year guys, or younger guys mixed in with fourth- and fifth-year guys. It takes that long to build a line. In other words, you can't rush breakfast.

Dear Mr. Sportsknowitall: I have heard of Blackshirts. I have heard of redshirts. But there was a TV guy the other day, I swear, said, "Redshirt Frenchman." What is that? C.K.

A Blackshirt is a Nebraska defensive player who earns a starting position and gets a black jersey to wear during practice. This started long ago when Bob Devaney wanted some way to tell the defensive starters apart from the second string (gold shirts). Black jerseys were on sale. A redshirt is a kid who practices but sits out of competition for a year, gaining experience, knowledge, size and strength. A redshirt Frenchman would be a guy who hasn't earned the yellow jersey in the Tour de France.

Reach Monsieur Sportsknowitall at 473-7313 or khambleton@journalstar.com.

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