Spring Practice

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Bullock looks like Freddie Mercury in this shot

 

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Steve Marik • InsideNebraska
Staff Writer
@Steve_Marik

Nebraska coach Matt Rhule and tight ends coach Bob Wager spoke with the media following the ninth practice of spring ball on Thursday. Here are the quick hits:

Matt Rhule​

>> Rhule’s message to his team today is “it doesn’t get easier.” Rhule will give his team five days off, but when the players come back Tuesday they need to be ready to roll.
“Just a challenge to those guys to take care of their bodies over the next couple of days, learn the playbook better,” Rhule said.
>> Rhule got a chance to watch the film of Saturday’s scrimmage, and he said “that was the best the quarterbacks had played.”
“I think they needed that, they needed those live reps,” Rhule said. “When they can get hit, it speeds up their process. We started practice off today, we came right out of stretch and went quarterbacks live down inside the 5-yard line. What you find out is, when they do that, they don’t really get hit that often. But it just speeds up their process.”
>> Rhule said elements of the offense are “just a little bit off timing-wise” but what he likes about the group is, there are no excuses. The coach also said the defense had a better day Thursday. Rhule likes it when the units keep going back and forth with the better days opposed to one side dominating.
>> Rhule has always had players he’s drawn to and tried to work with more than others. Tight end Thomas Fidone II is one of those players on the roster.
“Fidone is one of my guys, I really like the guy,” Rhule said. “He’s so competitive, he’s so driven. Sometimes when you’re driven, it drives you all over the place and you just can’t stand when it doesn’t come right away — that’s what I love about him. I’m a little bit wired that way and the best players I’ve been around are wired that way.”
>> As expected, LSU and Georgia tight end transfer Arik Gilbert will need a waiver to play this upcoming season, Rhule confirmed. Rhule was optimistic but didn’t want to say much about the situation because it’s not his call and he doesn’t know the timing.
“I don’t want to say anything about it, I just don’t know,” the coach said. “It’s completely out of my hands. I’ll just say this — when I took Arik, I told him, ‘Hey, this is a long-term play for you and your future.’ So if it works out where he can play this year, which I believe he should be able to, then great. And if he can’t, then we’re going to help him get ready for next year or for the NFL.”
>> If things aren’t being done on the field the way they are supposed to by a player or assistant, Rhule will let them hear about it. Everyone is being held accountable.
“We are a caring and not coddling environment,” Rhule said. “I say that all the time — caring and not coddling. We are where top producers go to be with other top producers. We want to be with the best of the best.”
>> Rhule offered his thoughts on offensive tackle Bryce Benhart and the O-line room in general.
“I think Bryce is an NFL player, there’s no doubt to me about that,” Rhule said. “With what we’re doing and the way we’re playing, I think it’s going to turn Bryce loose. I think a lot of those guys, I think a lot of them have probably been beat down. Like I said, the narrative is the O-line is terrible, the O-line is terrible. They hear that a lot. I think Bryce and all those guys on the offensive line just have to play with great confidence.”
>> Confidence is a big thing with Rhule and the O-line.
“I look at him (Benhart), and I see an NFL player, I see an all-conference-caliber player. The question is, what does he see?” Rhule said. “I say that for a lot of guys, not just him. (Ethan) Piper, Nouri (Nouredin Nouili), that offensive line is as talented as I’ve been around in college football as a head coach. Are they going to believe it, are they going to put it together? That’s why we’re trying to practice the way we’re practicing right now.”

Bob Wager​

>> Wager says Janiran Bonner, who was moved to an “F” spot as a hybrid receiver-tight end, has been practicing as a traditional in-line TE, split out wide and has been a “motion guy” in the backfield:
“We’re putting him in as many possible situations we can to utilize his talents.”
>> Wager says Gilbert has “had four really good days” this week.
“He’s a great guy to have in the room. … I’m proud of the way he’s transitioned,” Wager said,
>> Gilbert, who Wager says is 6-foot-5 and 270 pounds, has the size and can “run really, really well.”
Wager: “When you put those two together (size and speed), it’s a unique and rare combination.”