Spring brings change in Lincoln

By Timothy Williams  |   Friday, March 24, 2006  |  Comments( 0 )

Nebraska Cornhuskers
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Several position changes were the highlight of the opening day of spring drills for the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Head Coach Bill Callahan held a press conference on Wednesday morning - prior to the first practice session - where the changes were announced. With the departure of four key starters on defense, the coaching staff is looking to identify starters at both the safety slots and to build depth on the interior of the defensive line. Gone are seniors SS Daniel Bullocks, FS Blake Tiedke, DT LeKevin Smith, and DT Titus Adams, and the coaching staff has 15 short practices to try and get a head start on replacing them.

Headlining the list of moves was Tierre Green's official move to the strong safety position, after playing and starting several games at cornerback in 2005. Green played safety in high school, and looks to have all the tools to excel in the role. Other significant secondary shifts involved moving Brian Wilson from CB to FS, Dan Erickson from WR to FS, and Jordan Adams from QB to FS. The three are expected to compete with senior Andrew Shanle for the starting role at free safety. Barring injury, Green and Shanle should have no problems locking down the number one slots at their respective positions during the spring.

At linebacker, junior Lance Brandenburgh will move from his backup role on the weak side to the starting slot at SAM linebacker. Brandenburgh stepped up during the Alamo Bowl when starter Bo Ruud was lost to injury. The coaches will look for more of the same from him while last year's starter at SAM, senior Stewart Bradley, recovers from a knee injury this spring.

The other moves of note were on the interior defensive line. 2005 offensive line recruit Craig Roark, as well as base defensive end Ty Steinkuhler, both made the move to defensive tackle. The two will join sophomore Ndamukong Suh at DT, and help to add depth behind seniors Ola Dagunduro and Barry Cryer.

Nebraska finished their 2005 season with three straight wins, and the team looks to carry the momentum from that strong finish into the 2006 season. The attitude of the team heading into the start of spring practice is one of tempered confidence. As a whole, they believe that they can do great things this season, but they also know that several key guys will need to be replaced this spring before they can even begin to think about the glory that the Fall may bring.
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